As Part of The Northrop Grumman Foundation Weightless Flights Of Discovery Program to Inspire and Prepare Kids for Careers in Math and Science Stops in Los Angeles, Calif., on Sept. 26
WHAT: The Northrop Grumman Foundation Weightless Flights of Discovery teacher training program provides educators with first-hand experience in the application of math, science and engineering principles aboard microgravity flights, during which they will conduct experiments that test Newton’s Laws of Motion. Teachers will bring their experiences and in-flight video back to the classroom to incorporate into lesson plans to help motivate and prepare the next generation of scientists and engineers.
WHO: 30 educators from schools in the following states:
* California
* Nevada
WHY: The United States has fallen behind globally in the areas of science and technology. For the United States to remain competitive for the future, it is important that the next generation be inspired and well prepared to pursue careers in these fields.
WHEN: Monday, Sept.26, 2011
TENTATIVE WEIGHTLESS FLIGHT SCHEDULE
Teacher arrivals and experiment preparations 7:00 a.m.
Mandatory pre-flight mission briefing 8:15 a.m.
Flight Take Off 11:00 a.m.
Flight Returns – Teachers return to the hotel for Regravitation Party 1:30 p.m.
WHERE: Marriott Long Beach, 4700 Airport Plaza Drive, Long Beach, Calif., 90815
CONTACT: Rosalie Hagel / Rebecca Rakitin
M. Silver Associates Inc.
(954) 765-3636 office
Rosalie@msilver-pr.com / Rebecca@msilver-pr.com
Margaret Mitchell-Jones
Northrop Grumman Corporation
(703) 280-2739 office
m.mitchell-jones@ngc.com
BACKGROUND: Teachers prepared for their flight by participating in a workshop where they started to design the experiments they plan to execute in lunar, Martian and zero gravity aboard a specially-modified aircraft that creates weightlessness in a similar manner to how astronauts train for space flight.
NOTE TO EDITORS: Pre-flight interviews can be arranged with teachers and Northrop Grumman Foundation executives prior to flight day. Please contact Rosalie Hagel or Rebecca Rakitin at M. Silver Associates at Rosalie@msilver-pr.com or Rebecca@msilver-pr.com or (954) 765-3636 to assist in coordination.
A limited number of seats are available to media interested in flying with the teachers. To be placed on standby for a seat, please contact Rosalie Hagel or Rebecca Rakitin. Pre-flight paperwork must be completed and submitted – possibly including a doctor’s release for parabolic flight – prior to flight day.
Media interested in being present on flight day should contact Rosalie Hagel to confirm attendance. Flight day interviews with teachers and Northrop Grumman Foundation executives will be arranged on-site on an as-requested basis.
Follow the teachers on their weightless journey via Facebook www.facebook.com/GoWeightless and Twitter (www.twitter.com/GoWeightless).
