NASA shares vision for space exploration with Bronx students

Michelle Jones
December 8, 2005
Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD
Phone: (301) 286-8102

Leslie McCarthy
Goddard Institute for Space Studies
Phone: (212) 678-5507

Media Advisory: 05-56

NASA SHARES VISION FOR SPACE EXPLORATION WITH BRONX STUDENTS

NASA will visit the Lorraine Hansberry Academy CS214X, Bronx, N.Y., to
kick-off the newly established educational partnership between NASA and the
school to bring the Vision of Space Exploration to students on Monday,
December 12, with a series of student assemblies.

What: Student assembly
When: 10:30 a.m., Monday, December 12
Who: Ron Garan, Astronaut
Orlando Figueroa, Director of Applied Engineering and Technology, NASA
Goddard Space Flight Center
Congressman José E. Serrano (D-NY).

WheLorraine Hansberry Academy CX214X, 1970 West Farms Road, Bronx

NASA Astronaut Lt. Colonel Ronald J. Garan, Jr. (USAF), and Orlando
Figueroa, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center's Director of Applied Engineering
and Technology, and Rep. José E. Serrano (NY-D-16th) will address the
students. They will encourage the future explorers to study math and science
so they can pursue careers in aeronautics and space as they discuss NASA's
plans to return to the moon and go on to Mars. Media are welcome to attend
the event.

Media interested in arranging interviews with Garan and Figueroa should
contact Leslie McCarthy at 212-678-5507. Media interested in arranging
interviews with Congressman Serrano should contact Philip Schmidt at
202-225-4361.

Lt. Colonel Garan was selected by NASA as a pilot in July of 2000. Following
the completion of two years of training and evaluation, he was assigned
technical duties in the Astronaut Office Station and Shuttle Operations
Branches. He will serve in technical assignments until assigned to a space
flight.

Garan, a New York native, earned a bachelor's degree in business economics
from the State University of New York Oneonta in 1982, a masters of
aeronautical science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in 1994 and a
master of science degree in aerospace engineering from the University of
Florida in 1996. He received his commission as a Second Lieutenant in the
United States Air Force in 1984 and earned his pilot wings in 1985. He has a
long and distinguished military record including the awards of the
Distinguished Flying Cross for Combat Valor, Meritorious Service Medal, Air
Medal, Aerial Achievement Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with
Valor, National Defense Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Award, Kuwait
Liberation Medal, and various other service awards.

Orlando Figueroa was appointed to the position of Director of Applied
Engineering and Technology at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center,
Greenbelt, Md., in October 2005. He has received numerous awards during his
career, including the 2002 Pioneer Award from the Hispanic Engineer National
Achievement Awards Corporation for his contribution to the advancement of
science and technology and for promoting the education of our youth; and
from Hispanic Business Magazine as one of the most influential Hispanics in
the Nation in 2004 and 2005.

The NASA Explorer Schools Program provides educators, students and families
with classroom resources and innovative technology based on NASA's unique
research, discoveries and missions. During the three-year partnership, NASA
assists schools in addressing needs in science, technology, engineering and
mathematics. Lorraine Hansberry Academy was selected as a NASA Explorer
School beginning in academic year 2005-2006.

For information about the NASA Explorer Schools Program on the Internet,
visit:


http://explorerschools.nasa.gov/


For more information about NASA on the Internet, visit:


http://www.nasa.gov/home


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Jacques :-)

www.spacepatches.info