NASA astronaut and former NFL player, Leland Melvin, will
make several public appearances in the Los Angeles area this
week to explain NASA’s Educator Astronaut Program (EAP) and
encourage interest among young people in science, technology,
engineering and mathematics.
Melvin, EAP co-program manager, has traveled the country
meeting students and teachers. The EAP, which began in
January, is part of NASA’s effort to connect space exploration
with the classroom and to inspire the next generation of
explorers.
“In addition to showing students just how much fun science
learning can be, I believe it is essential to highlight the
need for students to develop an academic and career plan of
action that includes alternatives, a plan B, if you will,”
Melvin said. Injured at the cusp of his professional football
career, Melvin pursued an alternative passion for engineering
that led to his application to and acceptance into NASA’s
Permanent Astronaut Corps in 1998.
“Leland Melvin’s visit to Southern California provides NASA
yet another great opportunity to reach out to young people to
get them excited about science and learning, by meeting a
young astronaut who is passionate about the adventure of
exploration,” said Adena Williams Loston, NASA’s Associate
Administrator for Education.
For the first time, NASA is recruiting individuals with
specific experience and expertise in K-12 education. Through
EAP, NASA plans to send teachers into space as fully trained
astronauts. Melvin will encourage students to nominate their
teachers for the EAP. The EAP application deadline is April
30, 2003.
Melvin’s schedule:
11:30 a.m. PST, March 20: Anaheim Convention Center, Anaheim:
Melvin will sign autographs at the NASA exhibit and talk with
participants of the National Society of Black Engineers’ 29th
Annual Conference about the EAP and NASA education
initiatives.
2:30 p.m. PST, March 20: Anaheim Marriott Hotel, Anaheim:
Melvin will present awards at the National Society of Black
Engineers’ 29th Annual Conference, at the Rocketry Design
Program workshop, an event targeting high school students with
engineering career aspirations.
10:00 a.m. PST, March 21: Vanguard Learning Center, Compton:
Melvin will meet with students grades 4 through 8 and teachers
of science classes from the Compton Unified School District to
discuss the EAP.
1:00 p.m. PST, March 21: Elliott Middle School, Pasadena:
Melvin will meet with students, teachers and local public
officials to discuss EAP.
4:00 p.m. PST, March 21: California Science Center, Los
Angeles (700 State Drive): Melvin will meet with Los Angeles
area science teachers, students, and the general public to
discuss EAP, and to encourage interest in science, technology,
engineering and mathematics. Congresswoman Diane Watson, 33rd
Congressional District, will introduce Melvin, and offer her
support of the EAP.
For more information about NASA, the EAP, application process,
and eligibility requirements, on the Internet, visit:
For more information about other NASA education initiatives on
the Internet, visit:
To schedule an interview with Melvin, in conjunction with his
Los Angeles area appearances, contact Carolina Martinez at:
818/354-9382.
For more information about NASA on the Internet, visit:
