CLEVELAND — NASA’s Glenn Research Center is collaborating with Blanchette Middle School, Baylor Woodson Elementary School and the 9th Grade Academy in Inkster, Mich., Nov. 29-30, to engage students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education and increase academic excellence.

As part of NASA’s initiative to connect students to STEM, the event will feature Inkster native Woodrow Whitlow Jr., associate administrator for mission support at NASA Headquarters and former Glenn director.

Whitlow will kick off a day of activities via Skype at Blanchette Middle School on Tuesday, Nov. 29 at 9 a.m. and Baylor Woodson Elementary School at noon. On Wednesday, Nov. 30, Whitlow will attend the 9th Grade Academy activities at 9 a.m.

Also encouraging students to pursue careers in STEM will be Dovie Lacy, chief of the educational programs office at Glenn; astronaut Greg Johnson, currently serving as chief of the external programs division at Glenn; Cynthia Calhoun, deputy chief of the program and project assurance division; and aerospace engineer Lance Foster.

As part of the day’s event, students will participate in hands-on challenges that focus on the engineering design process. Blanchette Middle School students will design and build a vehicle that will deliver a payload to a bullseye six feet away. Baylor Woodson Elementary School students will design and build a landing system to successfully land a payload without damaging or ejecting the payload. The 9th Grade Academy students will build a roller coaster for a marble to learn about the forces of motion and energy transformation that apply to the track.

NASA uses the excitement from its missions and programs to inspire students and serve as a catalyst for encouraging STEM studies. The agency continues its tradition of investing in the nation’s education programs and supporting the country’s educators who play a key role in preparing and inspiring the young minds of today to become the workforce of tomorrow.

News media wishing to attend any of these events should contact Anita Mallett at the Inkster Public School Superintendent Office, (734) 722-5310 ext. 1608 by 4:30 p.m. on Nov. 28.

To learn more about NASA’s education programs, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/education