NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration

By: Patrick Lynch

NASA Langley is best known on the Peninsula for its legendary place in aeronautics. But this weekend Langley’s Science Directorate is reaching out in its own backyard to talk to its neighbors about NASA’s significant role in Earth science and to celebrate our home planet.

A daylong event, EarthFest 2009, will follow up last year’s successful, inaugural event at Christopher Newport University. This year’s EarthFest will be held in partnership with the city of Hampton and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) on Sat., Oct. 24, at Sandy Bottom Nature Park. EarthFest will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The day of activities, exhibits, nature walks, arts, crafts and music is designed to both teach people about the Earth and showcase NASA's role in learning more about it.

Earthfest logo. Credit: NASA

The event links the high-minded scientific research of the Earth undertaken at Langley and the basic, everyday activities people can do to preserve the Earth.

"EarthFest is an engaging, family-oriented day of fun aimed at raising public awareness about how easy and vitally important it is to be 'green,' " said Gary Gibson, deputy director of the Science Directorate at Langley.

Visitors will find a host of NASA exhibits and games geared toward kids. NOAA and NASA scientists and engineers will be on hand to share information about the Earth’s weather and climate for the young and old. Langley will also host a variety of kid’s games with Earth and “green” themes.

Cars that run on cooking oil and hydrogen will be on display. Kids can "dig for dinosaur bones" at an archaeology tent. Bird lovers can go on guided bird-watching walks with the Peninsula Bird Watchers at 9:30 a.m., 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Folks from Virginia Peninsula Astronomy/Stargazers will have a solar telescope on hand. The Peninsula Fine Arts Center and Virginia Zoo will have arts and crafts activities. Master gardeners and a local farmer will show off environmentally friendly techniques you can use in your own lawns and gardens.

Other exhibits and talks will focus on water conservation and climate change in Hampton Roads.

"It is an opportunity," Gibson said, "to not only share what NASA is doing in climate science research, but to inspire the community to action to protect our fragile planet. Individually and collectively, we can make a difference."

The first EarthFest was held in the spring of 2008 at Christopher Newport University. The event drew more than two thousand people and served as a great way to connect NASA and its scientific research with people on the Peninsula. In addition to the EarthFest events, Sandy Bottom's facilities and nature trails will be open to visitors as well.

"NASA wants to engage and inform our surrounding neighbors about important Earth science research and how it will affect their lives today and in the future," said Katrina Young, with Langley's Office of Public Affairs, who is helping organize the event.

"It is important for NASA to talk about Earth science research and missions to dispel many misconceptions about global climate, and to also share with people what we have learned to date," Young said. "And EarthFest is a great way to do this in an entertaining and educational way for all ages."


 
NASA Langley Research Center
Managing Editor: Jim Hodges
Executive Editor and Responsible NASA Official: H. Keith Henry
Editor and Curator: Denise Lineberry