|
WHAT:
Did you want to be an astronaut when you grew up? Or wonder, what you would eat if you lived on the moon? Or what it takes to build a rocket? Well students at the City of Orlando’s Grand Avenue Neighborhood Center are learning just that and all about the science of space thanks to a partnership with the Orlando Science Center and NASA.
On Monday, February 27, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, District 6 City Commissioner Bakari F. Burns, District 5 City Commissioner Regina I. Hill and Orlando Science Center President and CEO JoAnn Newman will highlight this new program and join students in their lab groups to participate in a Neighborhood Science lesson. During the activity, the Mayor, Newman and fourth and fifth grade students will build a vertical garden using plastic bottles, much like astronauts did on the International Space Station when they had to discover how to grow plants on the moon. By using lunar regolith or “moon dirt” from the University of Central Florida’s CLASS Exolith Lab they’ll plant seeds here from earth to grow red leaf lettuce and use sunlight from the windows of the newly renovated classroom.
This partnership works to ensure science and STEM learning opportunities are available to all, giving children the opportunity to share in the excitement of space exploration, and creating additional pathways to education and meaningful careers that can change the world. The program at Grand Avenue is made possible through a three-year $795,000 grant from NASA to the Orlando Science Center helping them launch their Neighborhood Science Program. The program provides high-quality STEM education to 10-12 students multiple days each week. To date, students have already completed a number of projects in the new STEM lab, including learning about space travel and lunar habitats with the design and creation of printed 3D rockets and by building model shelters that could be constructed on the moon.
Through the program, students will also have the opportunity to interact with NASA astronauts and engineers once a month for mentorship opportunities and to showcase their weekly projects. The goal of this program is to help kids develop the critical thinking skills, similar to what astronauts encounter in space, and bring those solutions to current issues they may face. Through consistent and authentic STEM learning, this program will take STEM education directly to underrepresented communities, inspire the next generation of explorers and help address the rising demand for STEM careers, including in Orlando where it’s one of the fastest-growing cities for technology and innovation economy.
WHEN:
Monday, February 27, 2023
4:30 p.m.
WHERE:
Grand Avenue Neighborhood Center
800 Grand Street
INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES:
- Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer
- JoAnn Newman, Orlando Science Center President and CEO
- Students involved in neighborhood science project
VISUALS:
- Students building vertical space gardens
- Rockets designed and 3D printed by students
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Ashley Papagni, City of Orlando Public Information Officer, ashley.papagni@orlando.gov
Jeff Stanford, Orlando Science Center VP of Marketing, jstanford@osc.org
###
|