Official Nasa Communication 04-081 Glenn Challenges Young Astronauts

November 5, 2004 Katherine K. Martin Media Relations Office 216/433-2406 [email protected] RELEASE: 04-081 NASA GLENN CHALLENGES YOUNG ASTRONAUTS Hundreds of students throughout Ohio will visit NASA's Glenn Research Center, Cleveland, on November 6 for the 12th annual Young Astronauts' Day. The students, in grades K-12, will participate in competitive activities intended to spark an interest in aeronautics, space science and engineering. New activities this year include Wingin' It where students will build an airplane wing and make it fly, and an Egg Bungee Jump involving redesigning a bungee cord based on its elasticity. Old favorites are the Pasta Tower, a building block bridge to overcome the forces of gravity and a computer simulation exercise. The event will conclude at 3 p.m., with judging of the teams' results and presenting of awards to the best teams. The day starts at 10 a.m. in the Developmental Engineering Building Auditorium, where students will be welcomed by NASA astronaut Michael J. Foreman. Instructions and encouragement will then be given by organizers of the event, many of whom are NASA scientists and engineers. Pilots (6th grade and younger) will meet in Glenn's Developmental Engineering Building Cafeteria, while Commanders (7th grade and older) will at the same time convene in the Main Cafeteria for the competition portion of the event. Michael J. Foreman, born in Columbus, Ohio, is a graduate of Wadsworth High School in Wadsworth, Ohio and the U.S. Naval Academy. Selected as an astronaut by NASA in June, 1998, Foreman has been assigned to the crew of STS-120. Glenn's Ultra Efficient Engine Technology Project and the Northern Ohio section of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) are sponsoring this event. Media representatives interested in covering the activities should call Katherine Martin 216-433-2406 or the Media Relations Office

216-433-2901 in order to be cleared through security. A list of communities with schools and organizations participating follows: Ashland: Ashland Elementary, Middle and High Schools Bellaire: Bellaire Middle School Brian: St. Patrick School Columbus: Young Astronauts Club Cleveland: Birchwood Schools, Girl Scout Troop 1658, Grace Church Home Education, James Ford Rhodes High School Garfield Heights: Boy Scouts of America Space Engineers Montpelier: Superior Middle School Parma: Shadow Middle Schools Rocky River: Magnificat High School Shaker Heights: Laurel School University Heights: GESU Elementary School Windsor: Windsor Elementary #1 and #2 -end-