NASA Invites Elementary Students and Their Families to a Special Illuminating Event on the Sun

NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md. invites elementary school students and their families to its Visitor Center on Sunday, March 15 from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. EDT for a special afternoon of eye-opening, hands-on activities featuring our closest star, the Sun.

Students will discover the Sun during a series of illuminating activities. Unique beads sensitive to ultraviolet light will reveal the power of the Sun’s rays. A glimpse of the sun using a solar telescope will offer a glimpse of its tempestuous nature. Stormy solar activity will be displayed during a sunspotter activity. The Visitor Center’s 6-foot sphere, Science on a Sphere exhibit will present a new perspective of our vital and restless star. Students will craft their own versions of the Sun using a variety of materials.

The Sunday Experiment, held the third Sunday of each month from September through May, features activities showcasing the NASA Center’s world-renowned science and engineering research and technological developments. Families leave inspired by the hands-on activities, wowed by the scientists and engineers, and excited about Goddard’s revolutionary research and technology.

“The Sunday Experiment is a place where children and adults alike can discover the excitement of Goddard through fun and easy hands-on activities,” said Emilie Drobnes, founder of Sunday Experiment. “You get to act like scientists and engineers while building all types of little rockets and hover-crafts, designing your own planets and stars, and even trying your hand at being part of the manned spaced program. At the Sunday Experiment we energize the public about NASA and the science we do here and we aren’t afraid to get our hands dirty in the process!”

In addition to celebrating all things science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, The Sunday Experiment celebrates major science missions that are managed by Goddard and set to launch in 2009 and 2010.

For more information on the Sunday Experiment go to Goddard’s Visitor Center’s Web page:

http://www.nasa.gov/centers/goddard/visitor/events/index.html