CLEVELAND — NASA’s Glenn Research Center and Kennedy Space Center, Fla. will co-sponsor a minority student education forum for more than 375 fifth through twelfth grade students on July 19 and 20. The event will provide real-world experiences and examples to encourage them to become the scientists and engineers of the future.

The forum is aligned with NASA’s Summer of Innovation initiative and is designed to motivate minority students to pursue science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) careers.

Some of NASA’s most notable past and current senior managers will speak at the forum, and NASA astronauts will be on hand to inspire and guide the students. In addition, students will participate in peer-to-peer ambassador roundtable discussions with Glenn researchers and interns, perform hands-on educational activities and enjoy a robotics demonstration.

To enhance the students’ experience, Glenn has partnered with the Great Lakes Science Center, the Cleveland Public Library and Cleveland State University. Activities on the first day will be held at the Great Lakes Science Center and participants will also tour the NASA Glenn Visitor Center. The Cleveland Public Library will lead discussion groups on the book “We Beat the Street: How a Friendship Led to Success.” Cleveland State will house the participants and serve as the host site on the second day.

Highlights of the forum include:

Tuesday, July 19, 6 to 8 p.m. at Great Lakes Science Center — A Center Director Panel discussion featuring Glenn Center Director Ramon “Ray” Lugo; former Glenn Center Directors Donald Campbell and Dr. Julian Earls; and former NASA Dryden Flight Center Director Isaac Gilliam. Former Glenn Director and current Associate Administrator for Mission Support at NASA Headquarters Dr. Woodrow Whitlow Jr. will moderate the discussion.

Wednesday, July 20, at Cleveland State University Wolstein Center — 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. — An astronaut briefing will be led by Leland Melvin, associate administrator for Education at NASA Headquarters and a mission specialist on two space shuttle missions: STS-122 and STS-129; and Mike Foreman, former chief of External Programs Division at Glenn and a veteran of two space shuttle missions: STS-123 and STS-129.

12:45 – 1:45 p.m. — A Trailblazers Panel discussion featuring NASA Glenn Director of Center Operations Robyn Gordon; NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Deputy Director for Science and Technology Christyl Johnson; NASA Safety Center Deputy Director Rafael Sanabria; and Associate Administrator for the Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters Dr. Jaiwon Shin.

The participating students are from: California, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio, Texas and Puerto Rico.

Media representatives who wish to attend the activities should contact Lori Rachul at 216-433-8806 or 216-509-1071 (cell).

For more about NASA’s Summer of Innovation initiative, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/soi

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

To learn more about NASA’s Glenn Research Center, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/glenn