ASHBURN, VA – Keiana Yasunaka, a ninth grade student at Ilwaco High School, has been selected as a National Student Argonaut and will participate in a two-year internship with The JASON Project, a nonprofit subsidiary of National Geographic Society.

Keiana was a former student at Carpinteria Middle School in Carpinteria, Calif., and nominated by her former sixth grade teacher, Kim Castagna. She is the daughter of Arlie and Cynthia Yasunaka of Seaview.

One of nine students and four teachers selected through an international competition, Keiana and her colleagues will take part in field expeditions led by top scientists and researchers from NOAA, NASA, the U.S. Department of Energy, Smithsonian Institution, National Geographic and other organizations. Their work will be featured in JASON’s upcoming curriculum units in space, climate, and forces and motion, scheduled for release in 2011.

To prepare for their fieldwork, Keiana and her fellow Argonauts – named for the crew that sailed aboard Argo with Jason, the mythological Greek explorer – will attend “boot camp” July 11 through July 22 in Washington, D.C. and other locations, where they will study the science content and learn protocols for scientific investigation. Subsequently, they will venture into the field with scientists and a video production crew to capture footage for JASON’s multimedia curriculum units.

“Keiana is already a role model, but now she will have even greater reach and impact by joining the expedition and becoming part of a science curriculum used around the world,” said Caleb M. Schutz, president of The JASON Project. “Keiana will be in a position to share her passion for science with students everywhere, and we are delighted to have her join us.”

JASON connects students with “great explorers and great events” to inspire and motivate them to pursue science and related careers. JASON creates these connections using multiple technologies – from educational games and videos to live interactivity and social networking – to embed its partners’ cutting-edge research in rigorous curricula.

After the expedition, Keiana will work with JASON staff to help develop, review and eventually launch the new curriculum units.

“I am thrilled with the opportunity to become a part of the JASON team and can’t wait to get started,” said Keiana, who feels her strong points are math and science. “I’m excited to help other students learn about science, getting them involved in science and helping them learn to enjoy science, because science is very important and science is what The JASON Project promotes.”

The Argonaut application consists of essay questions, faculty recommendations, a personal video and interviews. Candidates must demonstrate a passion for science, strong leadership skills and an ability to work as part of a team.

JASON’s new curriculum line, designed for students in grades five through eight and used throughout kindergarten through 12th for differentiated instruction, reaches an estimated 2 million students annually. All units are aligned to state and national science standards and have garnered multiple national education and technology awards.

Complete JASON curriculum units, including all interactive and multimedia, are available free at (www.jason.org). JASON also offers users the flexibility of free downloading and printing as well as print versions of its student and teacher editions.