NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland will launch its fifth annual National Lab Day on Friday, May 12, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Lewis Field, 21000 Brookpark Road.
Media interested in covering the event should contact Jeannette Owens no later than 9 a.m. on Thursday, May 12, to be cleared through security. For inquiries or to request high-resolution images, send an email or call 216-433-2990.
NASA astronaut Jeffrey N. Williams (Colonel, U.S. Army, Ret.) kicks off the event by sharing his experience of living and working in space aboard the International Space Station. Williams last flew on Expedition 47/48, his fourth mission. He has spent 534 days in space.
After Williams’ remarks, NASA engineers and education staff will join over 200 students in their adventure to become rocket scientists for the day.They will follow the engineering design process to design and build a shock-absorbing system that will protect two “astronauts” when they land. Following their spacecraft landing, the students will evaluate their designs, modify them and land them again to determine if their changes affect the landers’ performance.
“It’s exciting to see the determination on the faces of young future engineers,” said Stephanie Brown-Houston, education program specialist, Glenn.
Students will also tour Glenn facilities and participate in a career showcase exhibit featuring wind tunnel aerodynamics, a challenge with a rover and explore different methods that NASA uses for space science missions.
Participating schools include Riverside, Marion-Sterling, Scranton and St. Mark of Cleveland; Pinnacle Academy, Euclid; Chase Stem Academy, Toledo; New Day Academy, Willowick; and Woodbury Elementary, Shaker Heights.
