MOFFETT FIELD — NASA is taking the “space experience” on the road to San Francisco Bay Area schools to motivate and inspire the next generation of space explorers. The traveling exhibit is scheduled to tour Bay area schools from April 27 – June 2, 2010.

NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, Calif. in partnership with the Traveling Space Museum (TSM), is sponsoring “Space Day” at six San Francisco Bay Area schools that serve underrepresented students. In an effort to excite young people about space and NASA’s missions, the agency is working with TSM to teach students the way astronauts are taughtŠby doing.

“NASA is dedicated to helping provide excellence in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM, education,” said Lewis Braxton III, NASA Ames deputy center director. “Seeing a student’s eyes open wide to the possibilities in these disciplines is priceless and NASA Ames is happy to provide the opportunity to these students.”

During the “Space Day” events, students will be treated to a rich and exciting educational experience at approximately 14 activity stations presented by NASA experts and aerospace enthusiasts. The stations include an International Space Station module mock-up, Orion capsule simulator, micro-jet, space station toilet, hovercraft and water rockets.

The traveling exhibit will visit schools participating in “Space Day” events. They are:

o  Ronald McNair Academy in East Palo Alto on Tuesday, April 27
o  California School for the Blind in Fremont on Tuesday, May 18
o  Peter Burnett Academy in San Jose on Thursday, May 20
o  American Indian Public Charter School in Oakland on Tuesday, May 25
o  Cesar Chavez Middle School in Union City on Thursday, May 27
o  Toyon Elementary School in San Jose on Wednesday, June 2, 2010

In 2008, the California Space Authority named TSM the winner of its’ “Buzz Aldrin Space Education & Workforce Award.” Founded by Ivor Dawson in 1998, the non-profit traveling museum has helped inspire more than 300,000 students at day-long Space Day events in more than 20 states.

For more information about the Traveling Space Museum, visit: http://travelingspacemuseum.org

For more information about NASA, visit: http://nasa.gov