Daughter Of Claremore Woman May Visit Space

By Craig Day, The News On 6

CLAREMORE, OK -- A teacher with Oklahoma ties is getting an out of this world opportunity.  Lanette Oliver is one of only a few educators nationwide selected for the Teachers in Space Program.  It's a group pushing to get teachers in space once private space travel is more common.  She's now training and preparing for a possible lift off.

Oliver's mom lives in Claremore and is excited about her daughter's chance of a lifetime.

"All of our children were raised to find out what they are here for and follow their passion," said JimAnn Oliver.

JimAnn Oliver of Claremore says her daughter, Lanette, has a love of science and teaching.  Now, that passion will go to new heights.

"She is the perfect person to do it," said JimAnn Oliver.

Out of thousands of educators nationwide, Lanette Oliver, is one of only seven selected for the Teachers in Space Program.  It's a non-profit group that ultimately hopes to send 200 working teachers into space on private sector spacecrafts.

"They're calling these the Pathfinder 7 because they're the ones who are having to develop the pathway for the future teams," said JimAnn Oliver.

Those teachers will design and carry out experiments and then take what they've learned back to the classroom.

"They had to have good teamwork skills, experience working with a team successfully," said JimAnn Oliver.

Oliver grew up in Washington, Oklahoma, near Norman, graduated from OU and now is an elementary science specialist in a large school district near San Antonio.  She's been training in gliders, fighters and other aircraft, for a sub orbital flight in space.

"It's very exciting, been exciting for the whole family, and everybody has really been supporting her," said Jim Ann Oliver.

The mission is expected to happen in about a year and a half.

Lanette Oliver spoke with The News On 6 via telephone from her school district near San Antonio.  She is ecstatic about the opportunity of going to space.

Oliver says the Teachers in Space Program is a great way to promote science, technology and engineering to students around the country.