CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — NASA is partnering with the South Florida Science Museum, West Palm Beach, Fla., and the school district of Palm Beach County to inspire and encourage underrepresented students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).

The event, in honor of African-American History month, will take place Feb. 15-18, 2011, at the museum and area elementary and middle schools. More than 1,000, fifth- and eighth-grade students will have the opportunity to interact with minority role-model speakers, participate in hands-on educational activities and view astronomy presentations in Kennedy Space Center’s portable planetarium.

Educational outreach activities will take place at the South Florida Science Museum on Feb. 15 and will involve the following schools:

-Bright Futures Academy, North Palm Beach, Fla.
-Palmetto Elementary School, West Palm Beach, Fla.
-Park Vista High School, Lake Worth, Fla.

Activities on the remaining dates will take place on-site at the following schools:

-Galaxy Elementary School, Boynton Beach, Fla.
-Glade View Elementary School, Belle Glade, Fla.
-John F. Kennedy Middle School, Riviera Beach, Fla.
-Lantana Community Middle School, Lantana, Fla.
-Pahokee Middle School, Pahokee, Fla.
-Westward Elementary International Magnet School, West Palm Beach, Fla.

For more information on NASA’s education programs, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/education

For more information about NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/kennedy