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Oregon State Tour — August, 2009
03.12.09

Exploration Experience Oregon State Tour Oregon International Air Show
Hillsboro, OR, August 28 - 30, 2009 – From the fire breathing, car crushing Robosauraus to the breathtaking performance by the United States Air Force Thunderbirds, there was no shortage of extraordinary and action-packed demonstrations to amaze visitors of the 2009 Oregon International Air Show, August 28-30, 2009, in Hillsboro, OR. But under the category of “once in a life time” and “life changing opportunity”, there was just one. The NASA Exploration Experience Traveling Exhibit. During the course of the three day air show, 1,780 visitors got a personal and inspiring peak inside NASA’s plans for the future of human space exploration. The air show opened with a special evening event inviting thousands of children out to participate in “Community Kids Night”. As STS-128 lifted off on a mission to the International Space Station, the Exploration Experience educated and inspired 350 children, the next generation of space explorers, with NASA’s plans to visit the moon, mars and beyond. The second day was all about family and fun, as 720 people stepped inside the Exploration Experience as curious visitors and stepped out as proud members of the NASA family. The final day of the air show started with special tours given to a number of curious and anxious air show volunteers and ended with 710 visitors touring the exhibit and learning more about America’s future in space. Among those visitors were children participating in the Margaret Teufel Day, a day honoring special needs children in the community.
The NASA Exploration Experience Traveling Exhibit visits Hillsboro, OR
Hillsboro, OR - Exhibit staffer Chris Blair (KSC) invites visitors in for a tour of the Exploration Experience.		 The NASA Exploration Experience Traveling Exhibit visits Hillsboro, OR
Hillsboro, OR - Exhibit staffer Shirley Chandler (MSFC) talks to Exploration Experience visitor about why NASA is returning to the moon.
The NASA Exploration Experience Traveling Exhibit visits Hillsboro, OR
Hillsboro, OR - Visitors prepare to enter the Exploration Experience.		 The NASA Exploration Experience Traveling Exhibit visits Hillsboro, OR
Hillsboro, OR - Exhibit staffer Diane Bent (KSC) takes souvenir photograph after air show volunteer’s tour of the Exploration Experience.
The NASA Exploration Experience Traveling Exhibit visits Hillsboro, OR
Hillsboro, OR - Exhibit staffer Kim Myrick (KSC) talks to visitors about the Exploration Experience.		 The NASA Exploration Experience Traveling Exhibit visits Hillsboro, OR
Hillsboro, OR - Exhibit staffer Erin Mahoney (HQ) talks to visitors about a lithograph comparing the past, present and future of space flight vehicles.
Vernon School
Portland, OR, September 14 - 15, 2009 - Regardless of the record breaking heat for September in Oregon we succeeded in making 450 students eager to learn more about the space program. Approximately 600 students, teachers and parents toured the NASA Exploration Experience exhibit at the NASA Explorer School- Vernon Intermediate in Portland, OR on September 14 & 15 2009. This title one Portland school ranges from pre K to 8th grade. Vernon Intermediate was able to schedule a time for every student in the school a chance to see NASA’s exhibit. Student Tommy Green commented after he toured the exhibit that "This is the coolest day I ever had".

Tina Acker Principal of the school was quoted “This was a fantastic beginning of the year experience for Vernon students. The NASA team did a stellar job engaging students. They were so knowledgeable, willing to share, and easy to work with. We are grateful for the experience and excited about increasing our focus on science this year. Thank you for helping take learning beyond the four walls of the classroom in only the 2nd week of the school year.”

In addition NASA Marshall's Jose Matienzo spoke to 100 people at the Civil Air Patrol in Merlin OR. Jose visited local and surrounding area schools where he reached out to 300 students in all at Mark Twain Junior High in Salem, OR, Portland Catholic School and Portland International High School.
The Exploration Experience Interactive Traveling Exhibit made its way to NASA Explorer School- Vernon Intermediate in Portland, OR on September 14 & 15 2009.
Portland, OR - NASA JSC’s Guy King talks to a group of girls from NASA Explorer School Vernon Intermediate about his job working on the International Space Station.		 The Exploration Experience Interactive Traveling Exhibit made its way to NASA Explorer School- Vernon Intermediate in Portland, OR on September 14 & 15 2009.
Portland, OR - Waiting for the rest of their class to finish with the Exploration Experience exhibit, students posed with one of their favorite volunteer’s NASA HQ’s Josh Buck.
The Exploration Experience Interactive Traveling Exhibit made its way to NASA Explorer School- Vernon Intermediate in Portland, OR on September 14 & 15 2009.
Portland, OR - NASA Apollo 40th Anniversary Banners hang outside of the Exploration exhibit celebrating the first landing on the Moon.		 The Exploration Experience Interactive Traveling Exhibit made its way to NASA Explorer School- Vernon Intermediate in Portland, OR on September 14 & 15 2009.
Portland, OR - Vernon students listen to NASA HQ’s Jennifer Wiles explain the different types of samples in the Space Food exhibit.
Science Works
Ashland, OR, September 18 - 20, 2009 - Beautiful scenery and perfect weather welcomed the NASA Exploration Experience to Ashland, Oregon’s Science Works Hands-On Museum. Three day attendance to the Experience was 2,300 with roughly 500 middle, elementary, and home school students from the surrounding area, as well as the Ashland YMCA, going through on Friday. On Saturday and Sunday the estimated time to get into the Experience was close to two hours with lines extending up to the sidewalk to the museum. Jitendra Joshi from NASA Headquarters made four presentations to standing room only audiences at the museum. Estimated total attendance to Mr. Joshi’s presentations was around 300. Outreach Coordinator Kirk Pierce was interviewed by local ABC, NBC, and CBS affiliates as well as newspaper reporter, Elon Glucklich from the Ashland Daily Tidings (in addition, the local ABC and CBS affiliates did follow up interviews on Sunday in order to find out attendance for the weekend and visitor thoughts).

Science Works Hands On Museum Executive Director Mark DiRienzo was quoted as saying, “We definitely sparked an interest in space this week and perhaps have a future mission commander, scientist, astronaut, or aerospace engineer in our midst!” In addition, Ashland Mayor John Stromberg passed on his appreciation to NASA and the Exploration Systems Mission Directorate for bringing the NASA Exploration Experience to the area.
The Exploration Experience Interactive Traveling Exhibit made its way to Ashland, Oregon’s Science Works Hands-On Museum, September 18-20, 2009.
Ashland, OR - Sammy Barrueta and his dad Henry are interviewed by local KTVL CBS reporter Greg Fischer about their visit inside the NASA Exploration Experience during its stop at the Science Works Hands-On Museum in Ashland, OR.		 The Exploration Experience Interactive Traveling Exhibit made its way to Ashland, Oregon’s Science Works Hands-On Museum, September 18-20, 2009.
Ashland, OR - With mountains serving as the backdrop, visitors line up to go into the NASA Exploration Experience during its three day visit to the Science Works Hands-On Museum in Ashland, OR.
The Exploration Experience Interactive Traveling Exhibit made its way to Ashland, Oregon’s Science Works Hands-On Museum, September 18-20, 2009.
Ashland, OR - NBC Channel 5 reporter Hillary Lake interviews Gabriel Palmer from Redding, California about his visit inside the NASA Exploration Experience.		 The Exploration Experience Interactive Traveling Exhibit made its way to Ashland, Oregon’s Science Works Hands-On Museum, September 18-20, 2009.
Ashland, OR - Some visitors waited close to two hours to go inside the NASA Exploration Experience during its stop in Ashland, Oregon at the Science Works Hands-On Museum.
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