Latinos+in+History+PT

=**Resources**=
 * Scholastic - Latinos in History
 * FactMonster.com
 * [|Wikipedia]

=**Joseph M. Acaba**=

=**Resources/Reference Links**=
 * American with Puerto Rican heritage
 * Born on May 17, 1967 in Inglewood, California
 * Astronaut, hydrogeologist, and teacher (math/science to middle/high school students)
 * Spent a total of 137 days 19 hours 22 mins in space
 * Selected to 2004 NASA Group 19
 * Missions went on: STS-119, Soyuz TMA-04M, Expedition 31 Expedition 32
 * First person with Puerto Rican heritage to be named as NASA astronaut candidate
 * Completed training on February 10, 2006
 * Assigned to STS-119 after training
 * Enjoys reading
 * Excelled in science and math
 * Neil Armstrong's Moon landing video intrigued Acaba about outer space
 * Interested in scuba diving in high school, became a certified scuba diver
 * Experience inspired him to the field of geology
 * Graduated from Esperanza High School in 1985
 * Received Bachelor's Degree in Geology in 1990 from the University of California
 * Received Master's Degree in Geology in 1992 from the University of Arizona
 * Served six years in U.S. Marine Corps Reserves as Sergeant
 * Spend two years in U.S. Peace Corps and trained over 300 teachers in the Dominican Republic in modern teaching methodologies
 * Served as Island Manager of the Caribbean Marine Research at Lee Stocking Island in the Exumas, Bahamas
 * Became Shoreline Revegetation Coordinator in Vero Beach, Florida
 * Begin coursework for a Ph.D in education from Texas Tech University


 * http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_M._Acaba
 * http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/Bios/htmlbios/acaba-jm.html
 * http://www.nasa.gov/vision/space/preparingtravel/ascan_bio_acaba.html
 * http://www.elboricua.com/AcabaJoe_Astronaut.html

=**Essay**= **Joseph M. Acaba, Changing Our World Through His Works**

Hispanics can make a huge difference in our world. There are many Hispanics who have contributed a lot of their work in the world of science and technology. They are able to help improve these areas because of what they have done in their life. They are increasing our knowledge and advancing the fields of science and technology through their hard work and dedication. One particular person, Joseph M. Acaba, is one of those people who have done a lot for the world during his lifetime. He has done many things in his life so far, and he's still continuing to do more things right now.

Acaba is a U.S. citizen with Puerto Rican heritage. He was born on May 17, 1967 in Inglewood, California. After he was born, he moved to Anaheim, California, and was raised there by his parents. As a child, he loved reading books and had good academic skills in math and science. He graduated with honors from Esperanza High School in 1985. He received his Bachelor's Degree in Geology in 1990, and his Master's Degree in Geology in 1992 (Astronaut Bio: Joseph Acaba). He had many interests during his early life. Some of his interest includes scuba diving and outer space. He was able to become a certified scuba diver during his senior year (Joseph M. Acaba). His interest pushed and motivated him to become a scuba diver. What he didn't know at that time was that his interest in outer space could land him a job with NASA as an astronaut in the future.

Acaba did many things before he was landed a job as an astronaut with NASA. He served for six years as a Sergeant in the United States Marine Corps Reserve (Joseph M. Acaba). He also trained 300 teachers in the Dominican Republic during his two years with the United States Peace Corps (Dunbar, Brian) (Joseph M. Acaba). He worked not only in the U.S., but in different places as well. He went to the Bahamas and served as Island Manager of the Caribbean Marine Research at Lee Stocking Island (Astronaut Bio: Joseph Acaba). After spending some time in the Bahamas, he moved to Florida and was back in the United States. From there, he became the Shoreline Revegetation Coordinator in Vero Beach (Joseph M. Acaba). Acaba had other occupations as well besides being an astronaut. He taught math and science as a teacher and was also a hydrogeologist (Dunbar, Brian) (Astronaut Bio: Joseph Acaba).

99 applications were sent to NASA to be astronaut candidates. NASA picked eleven applicants, one being Acaba, to be the members of the 19th group of Astronaut Candidates. Acaba was picked to be an Educator Mission Specialist. His group completed the astronaut training in February 2006. Since Acaba had finished his training, he was assigned to the Hardware Integration Team in the International Space Station branch. NASA assigned Acaba to his first mission as Educator Mission Specialist to the crew of STS-119. The crew's objective was to transport the last set of solar arrays to the ISS. While in space, he helped spread out the solar arrays which would improve power to the International Space Station. The crew returned to Earth and landed safely on March 28, 2009 (Astronaut Bio: Joseph Acaba) (Joseph M. Acaba).

As an astronaut, Acaba was able to go on three more missions, Soyuz TMA-04M, Expedition 31, and Expedition 32,after the STS-119. After Expedition 32, he went on and began a coursework to get his Ph.D. in education from the Texas Tech University. He's still, however, an active astronaut within NASA's space program. Acaba spent a total of 137 days, 19 hours, and 22 minutes in space. (Joseph M. Acaba)

Acaba has managed to achieve a lot of things in his life. He not only helped in the areas of science and technology, but in other areas as well. Acaba once said, “As an educator, I think the most important thing for me is to fulfill the goal of inspiring the next generation. Motivating kids to learn is as important as the subject matter.” Acaba is one of those people who is trying to change the world, and making it a better place for everyone through the things he does.

=**Works Cited**=

"Astronaut Bio: Joseph Acaba (09/2012)."Astronaut Bio: Joseph Acaba (09/2012). N.p., n.d. Web. 01 May 2014. .
 * This website is valid because the site is apart of NASA, an official government website.

Dunbar, Brian. "2004 Astronaut Class."NASA. NASA, 05 May 2004. Web. 01 May 2014. .
 * This website is valid because it is an official government website.

"Joseph M. Acaba."Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 30 Apr. 2014. Web. 01 May 2014. .
 * This website is valid because the information provided on the site matches with other valid sources.