The Minister of Education and an 11-year-old schoolgirl shared the spotlight in a major global scientific experiment yesterday.

Both the Hon. Clarence Terceira and young LaTaunya Griffin were involved in the broadcast of the Jason Project.

And their "contributions'' will have been seen and heard in many areas of the United States and the United Kingdom.

The Jason Project started its second year in Bermuda this week in the Hansen Hall at the Bermuda Biological Station for Research.

It is a study of organisms in the rain forest and coral reefs, of Belize, by many of the world top scientists.

But the unique factor in the Jason Project is the live satellite link with students in the UK, US and Bermuda.

Students at the Biological Station have a satellite link, provided by sponsors Cable & Wireless, to watch the experiments as they progress in the Central American country.

And they are able to ask questions of the scientists to help them with their studies.

Prospect Primary student LaTaunya went "on the air'' to ask hydrologist Dr.

Tom Miller a question about the depths of caves he was studying.

LaTaunya's excited face was broadcast around all the other study areas across the US and to Liverpool in England.

She said: "After studying what we were going to learn in the Jason Project I decided that the depths of the caves were important, so I asked the lady if I could ask the question.'' The youngster said she thought Jason was much more exciting than normal school work.

Earlier Dr. Ballard had introduced scientists on screen and added that he knew of the presence of "the Minister of Education in Bermuda''. He greeted Dr.

Terceira with a "good afternoon''.

Students are asked to take part in various exercises like filling in questionnaires about what they had seen on screen.

Dr. Ballard was in the canopy of the rain forest for much of the broadcast, yesterday, but live broadcasts were also made from the forest floor, the huge Karst Limestone Cave, and the barrier reef offshore.

He said: "We are basically following a rain drop's route through the trees, into the rivers, underground into the caves and then down to the sea.'' The shots of the reef are from a camera attached to the Biological Station's remotely operated vehicle which has been lent to the scientists during the time of the project.

Dr. Ballard said they had gone to Belize to study the ecology, and the relationships between animals and plants and their environments.

He pointed out that more than a quarter of Belize has been designated a nature reserve so much of it is untouched, unlike other areas of the world where rain forests are disappearing at a rate of 100,000 km. per year.

The broadcast also included scientists looking at the Mayan Xunantunich settlement, which had a population of 10,000 people 1,000 years ago.

Scientists are hoping to make some major discoveries during the project and it is not just a school exercise. They want to involve children in science as it changes.

Most of Bermuda's schools will visit Hansen Hall this week. There are also public sessions with the next one at 5 p.m. today.

Transmissions to the general public continue on Friday, and three days the following week. There will also be three broadcasts on Saturday, March 12.

Admission is $3 for adults and $2 for children. Pre-booking can be made on 297-1880.

HELLO LATAUNYA -- Prospect Primary student LaTaunya Griffin is welcomed on the air by Jason Project organiser Dr. Robert Ballard.