March 16th 06, 12:58 AM
MEDIA RELATIONS OFFICE
JET PROPULSION LABORATORY
CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION
PASADENA, CALIF. 91109 TELEPHONE (818) 354-5011
http://www.jpl.nasa.gov
Carolina Martinez (818) 354-9382
Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif.
News Release: 2006-036 March 15, 2006
NASA Announces Solar System Ambassadors Class of 2006
What do a teacher, surfer, firefighter, award-winning book author and
neurosurgeon have in common? A love of space and a desire to share that
passion. They've joined a growing number of private citizens in NASA's
Solar System Ambassador program, which brings space information to the
public through planetarium talks, telescope-viewing parties, mall
displays and other events.
Twenty-nine new ambassadors joined the program this year, bringing the
total to 450 ambassadors from all 50 states and Puerto Rico.
For swim coach and surfer Mike Olsberg of Newport Beach, Calif.,
looking
up at the stars overhead always captured his imagination, so becoming a
NASA ambassador was a no-brainer.
"When Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin walked on the moon, it represented
the culmination of all of man's technological achievements up to that
moment. Since that day, space exploration has always has been a
personal
interest for me," Olsberg said. He began his career as a swim coach,
which led to a teaching position at Fountain Valley High School in
Orange County, Calif.
For Kevin Kilkenny, a 15-year veteran of the New York City Fire
Department stationed in Brooklyn, N.Y, looking to the sky has been a
favorite activity since he was eight years old. "I like watching the
faces of the youngsters as they learn about faraway planets and then go
outside and see them through a telescope. Watching them make their own
discovery is priceless," he said.
Kevin was glued to the TV that summer day in 1969 when Apollo 11 made
its historic landing on the moon. He is currently building scale models
of the Cassini and Deep Impact spacecraft.
"I have known since my early childhood that I was born to teach," said
Judy M. Dominguez, a 33-year retired teacher of math and science, who
lives in Downey, Calif. "I realized that I had the gift of being able
to
explain complex ideas in such a way that people could understand them,
and by doing so, I experienced great joy."
"I have been passionate about space, astronomy and related subjects. I
consider it a personal responsibility to communicate their importance,
and the wonder and joy of knowing to others," added Dominguez.
For Dr. Ronald Ignelzi, becoming an ambassador was a chance to speak
about how space technology can help improve everyday lives. Ignelzi
recently retired as a neurosurgeon and lives in La Jolla, Calif.
"I believe space exploration and NASA are a great part of our planet's
future and that already some of the technology developed for spacecraft
has applications in medicine. These spin-offs have propelled medical
technology and will continue to do so in the future."
"As a long-time space cadet, I loved the idea of becoming an ambassador
for the solar system," said Dava Sobel of East Hampton, N.Y., an
award-winning author of popular science books. "I'm often invited to
speak at local schools and libraries about my work. Invariably my talks
turn to space exploration and mention of at least one NASA mission, but
now I'll be able to do this in a semi-official capacity."
Each ambassador agrees to hold at least four public events during the
year. In 2005, ambassadors participated in 2,071 events that reached
more than one million people.
Kay Ferrari, coordinator of the program at NASA's Jet Propulsion
Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif., said, "The 2006 ambassadors are a
wonderfully diverse group. This program has a tradition of bringing
people together who have different backgrounds but share an interest in
space exploration."
In its ninth year, the JPL-managed program prepares these volunteers
through a series of Internet training courses and teleconferences.
Ambassadors speak directly with scientists and engineers on missions
like Cassini to Saturn, the Mars Exploration Rovers and the Stardust
mission that brought home comet samples. They also receive brochures,
posters, DVDs and other materials to help them in their presentations.
For more information on the program, contact Kay Ferrari at
or (818) 354-7581 or visit:
http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/ambassador/front.html .
To contact a local ambassador in your area or find out about an event
near you, check the calendar of events at:
http://www2.jpl.nasa.gov/ambassador/events.html .
JPL is managed for NASA by the California Institute of Technology in
Pasadena, Calif.
JET PROPULSION LABORATORY
CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION
PASADENA, CALIF. 91109 TELEPHONE (818) 354-5011
http://www.jpl.nasa.gov
Carolina Martinez (818) 354-9382
Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif.
News Release: 2006-036 March 15, 2006
NASA Announces Solar System Ambassadors Class of 2006
What do a teacher, surfer, firefighter, award-winning book author and
neurosurgeon have in common? A love of space and a desire to share that
passion. They've joined a growing number of private citizens in NASA's
Solar System Ambassador program, which brings space information to the
public through planetarium talks, telescope-viewing parties, mall
displays and other events.
Twenty-nine new ambassadors joined the program this year, bringing the
total to 450 ambassadors from all 50 states and Puerto Rico.
For swim coach and surfer Mike Olsberg of Newport Beach, Calif.,
looking
up at the stars overhead always captured his imagination, so becoming a
NASA ambassador was a no-brainer.
"When Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin walked on the moon, it represented
the culmination of all of man's technological achievements up to that
moment. Since that day, space exploration has always has been a
personal
interest for me," Olsberg said. He began his career as a swim coach,
which led to a teaching position at Fountain Valley High School in
Orange County, Calif.
For Kevin Kilkenny, a 15-year veteran of the New York City Fire
Department stationed in Brooklyn, N.Y, looking to the sky has been a
favorite activity since he was eight years old. "I like watching the
faces of the youngsters as they learn about faraway planets and then go
outside and see them through a telescope. Watching them make their own
discovery is priceless," he said.
Kevin was glued to the TV that summer day in 1969 when Apollo 11 made
its historic landing on the moon. He is currently building scale models
of the Cassini and Deep Impact spacecraft.
"I have known since my early childhood that I was born to teach," said
Judy M. Dominguez, a 33-year retired teacher of math and science, who
lives in Downey, Calif. "I realized that I had the gift of being able
to
explain complex ideas in such a way that people could understand them,
and by doing so, I experienced great joy."
"I have been passionate about space, astronomy and related subjects. I
consider it a personal responsibility to communicate their importance,
and the wonder and joy of knowing to others," added Dominguez.
For Dr. Ronald Ignelzi, becoming an ambassador was a chance to speak
about how space technology can help improve everyday lives. Ignelzi
recently retired as a neurosurgeon and lives in La Jolla, Calif.
"I believe space exploration and NASA are a great part of our planet's
future and that already some of the technology developed for spacecraft
has applications in medicine. These spin-offs have propelled medical
technology and will continue to do so in the future."
"As a long-time space cadet, I loved the idea of becoming an ambassador
for the solar system," said Dava Sobel of East Hampton, N.Y., an
award-winning author of popular science books. "I'm often invited to
speak at local schools and libraries about my work. Invariably my talks
turn to space exploration and mention of at least one NASA mission, but
now I'll be able to do this in a semi-official capacity."
Each ambassador agrees to hold at least four public events during the
year. In 2005, ambassadors participated in 2,071 events that reached
more than one million people.
Kay Ferrari, coordinator of the program at NASA's Jet Propulsion
Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif., said, "The 2006 ambassadors are a
wonderfully diverse group. This program has a tradition of bringing
people together who have different backgrounds but share an interest in
space exploration."
In its ninth year, the JPL-managed program prepares these volunteers
through a series of Internet training courses and teleconferences.
Ambassadors speak directly with scientists and engineers on missions
like Cassini to Saturn, the Mars Exploration Rovers and the Stardust
mission that brought home comet samples. They also receive brochures,
posters, DVDs and other materials to help them in their presentations.
For more information on the program, contact Kay Ferrari at
or (818) 354-7581 or visit:
http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/ambassador/front.html .
To contact a local ambassador in your area or find out about an event
near you, check the calendar of events at:
http://www2.jpl.nasa.gov/ambassador/events.html .
JPL is managed for NASA by the California Institute of Technology in
Pasadena, Calif.