GRC NEWS RELEASE 03-075



03-075
For Release: November 7, 2003



Katherine K. Martin
Media Relations Office
216/433-2406
katherine.martin@nasa.gov


Young Astronauts Get Ready to Fly 

Students who dream of flying in space will descend upon NASA's Glenn 
Research Center, Cleveland, for the eleventh annual Young Astronaut 
Day. The students, in grades K-12, will have fun competing in events 
designed to help stimulate an interest in aeronautics, space science 
and engineering.



Over 300 students will take part in a variety of activities including 
"3-2-1 Pop" (building an Alka Seltzer rocket) to show how rocket 
propulsion works, "Egg Drop," using various sizes and weights of 
containers to simulate a spacecraft's return to Earth, and the "Land 
Propulsion Challenge" to try out three different propulsion systems: 
drive wheels, jet propulsion or sails.



Starting at 10 a.m. on Saturday, November 8, Dr. Julian Earls, Glenn 
Center Director, will welcome the students. Astronaut and U.S. Air 
Force Colonel Scott Horowitz will serve as guest speaker and will 
start the students on their way towards a day filled with excitement. 
Pilots (6th grade and younger) will then meet in the Developmental 
Engineering Building Cafeteria, while Commanders (7th grade and 
older) will at the same time convene in Glenn's Main Cafeteria for 
the competition. The day's events will conclude at 3 p.m. with 
judging of results and presentation of awards.



Glenn's Ultra-Efficient Engine Technology Office and the Northern Ohio 
Section of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics 
(AIAA) are sponsoring this event.



A list of communities with schools and organizations participating 
follows.

.
Ashland: Ashland Middle and High Schools

Centerburg: Grace Brethren Home School

Cleveland: Clark Elementary School, Horizon Science Academy, Jane 
Adams Business Ctr.
and Taft Elementary School

Columbus: Young Astronaut Club (Columbus Public Schools)

Elyria: Elyria Senior High School and Windsor Elementary School

Garfield Heights: B.S.A. Space Engineers

Lorain: Clearview High School and Lorain Catholic High School

Parma: Hanna Elementary School and Girl Scout Troop 1658 (Renwood 
Elementary School)

Rocky River: Magnificat High School

Shaker Heights: Laurel School

University Heights: GESU


Note to Editors: Media representatives who are interested in covering 
the activities should call Katherine Martin or the Media Relations 
Office 216-433-2901 in order to be cleared through security.



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