KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. (November 25, 2009) – More than 5,000 Brevard County sixth graders will attend the seventh annual Brevard Space Week at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, December 1-11, 2009. In this year’s program theme, “Launching Project Constellation,” studentswill learn about NASA’s exciting plans for the future of space exploration and traveling beyond as they discover the importance and fun of math and science.
“We want to encourage young minds to study the subjects of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) while inspiring them with the NASA story,” said William Moore, Chief Operating Officer of Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. “Many of these local students have grown up watching space shuttle and rocket launches from their own backyards, and through this unique program, they are given the opportunity to experience the space program first-hand.”
On each of the nine days, students will participate in a full day of space-related activities where they will meet veteran NASA astronauts including Apollo astronaut Al Worden and space shuttle astronauts Winston Scott and Wendy Lawrence. The students will solve a “Great Moon Rocket” scavenger hunt in the Apollo/Saturn V Center, see the 3D IMAX space film Magnificent Desolation: Walking on the Moon and experience an incredible journey of vertically launching into space aboard the space shuttle on the Shuttle Launch Experience. The students will also learn about NASA’s next generation space vehicles and future plans to discover and explore beyond low Earth orbit.
"The study trip to Kennedy Space Center will motivate and inspire our sixth grade students to choose math and science courses as they enter middle and high school, which may lead them to pursue a STEM career in their future,” said Brian Binggeli, Superintendent of Brevard Public Schools.
"Today's Brevard sixth grade students will be tomorrow's astronauts, engineers, scientists and technicians, returning us to the moon and leaving man's first footprints on Mars,” said Adrian Lafitte, Florida Chapter of National Space Club Chairman for Brevard Space Week. “Brevard Space Week serves to officially introduce our sixth graders to their future role in maintaining our leadership in space exploration."
Brevard Space Week is a cooperative space curriculum adventure designed for sixth grade students. The curriculum, developed by NASA Education, Brevard Public Schools and Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, contains fun space exploration activities designed to emphasize the importance of math and science. The educational experience extends beyond Brevard Space Week as students will receive a certificate to bring four guests to the Visitor Complex and serve as a personal tour guide.
Brevard Space Week is sponsored by NASA Education, Brevard Schools Foundation, Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts and Florida Chapter of the National Space Club.
About Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex opens at 9 a.m. Closing times vary by season. The Visitor Complex is open daily except December 25 and certain launch days. Admission includes the Shuttle Launch Experience, Kennedy Space Center Tour, 3D IMAX® space films, Astronaut Encounter, all exhibits, and the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame®, featuring historic spacecraft, simulator rides and the world's largest collection of personal astronaut memorabilia. Admission is $38 + tax for adults and $28 + tax for children ages 3-11. The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex Commander’s ClubAnnualPass is $50 + tax for adults and $40 + tax for children ages 3-11. For more information, call 321-449-4444 or visit www.KennedySpaceCenter.com.
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