NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Using a model Ferris wheel connected to a small solar panel, NASA Dryden Digital Learning Network coordinator David Alexander demonstrates solar power to children attending the NASA Education Family Night at the AERO Institute. NASA Photo / Tom Tschida

More than a score of children and their parents learned about flying in space during a hands-on NASA Education Family Night focusing on the upcoming STS-119 space shuttle mission at the AERO Institute in Palmdale Feb. 19. Those attending learned how astronauts live and work in space, tried out a space “sleeping bag,” participated in a solar power demonstration and flew their own cut-out paper space shuttle. The family night program was staffed by aerospace education specialists from NASA Dryden Flight Research Center and the AERO Institute.

Ethan Edwards launches his paper model space shuttle on its flight while sister Caitlin looks on during the NASA Education Family Night at the AERO Institute. NASA Photo / Tom Tschida

AERO Institute programs manager Kimberly Irizarry and education specialist Sara Cutts demonstrate how to assemble a paper cut-out space shuttle to children at the NASA Education Family Night program at the AERO Institute. NASA Photo / Tom Tschida

Micah Ericson finds the “space helmet” being fitted over his head by aerospace educator Tibi Marin a tad large during the NASA Education Family Night program at the AERO Institute. NASA Photo / Tom Tschida