JPL Engages "Thousands" Of Middle School Students And Teachers In STEM Disciplines

NASA officially kicks off its Summer of Innovation initiative at the agency's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, CA, on Thursday, June 10. Through the program, NASA will engage thousands of middle school students and teachers in stimulating math and science-based education programs. NASA's goal is to increase the number of future scientists, mathematicians, and engineers, with an emphasis on broadening participation of low-income and minority students.

NASA Administrator Charles Bolden, JPL Director Charles Elachi and astronaut Leland Melvin will share their personal space exploration experiences with middle school students during a live NASA Television program starting at 1300 EDT.

The Summer of Innovation program uses the excitement of NASA missions to keep students interested in science and math during the "summer slide," a measurable loss of learning skills that occurs during the school break.

Approximately 250 middle school students and teachers have been invited to the June 10th event at JPL. They will have the opportunity to speak directly with NASA astronauts, engineers and scientists and will participate in eight interactive and educational activities, such as launching paper rockets and building comets from Styrofoam and ribbon. They also will see NASA robotics in action and meet the next Mars rover, Curiosity. The rover is being assembled at JPL and is scheduled to launch in 2011.

The students invited to JPL are from:

• Better Educated Students for Tomorrow After School Enrichment Program, Los Angeles, CA.
• Micro-Enterprise Charter Academy, Long Beach, CA.
• Washington Middle School, Pasadena, CA.
• Foshay Learning Center, Los Angeles, CA.

FMI: www.nasa.gov/education