June 2, 2010

Ann Marie Trotta Headquarters, Washington 202-358-1601 ann marie trotta@nasa gov

Veronica McGregor Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif 818-354-9452 veronica c mcgregor@nasa gov

MEDIA ADVISORY: M10-084

NASA KICKS OFF STUDENT SUMMER OF INNOVATION PROGRAM JUNE 10

WASHINGTON -- NASA officially kicks off its Summer of Innovation initiative at the agency's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif , on Thursday, June 10 Through the program, NASA will engage thousands of middle school students and teachers in stimulating math and science-based education programs NASA's goal is to increase the number of future scientists, mathematicians, and engineers, with an emphasis on broadening participation of low-income and minority students

NASA Administrator Charles Bolden, JPL Director Charles Elachi and astronaut Leland Melvin will share their personal space exploration experiences with middle school students during a live NASA Television program starting at 1 p m EDT

News media interested in attending this event or scheduling an interview with NASA officials should contact Veronica McGregor by 3 p m Wednesday, June 9 at 818-354-9452 or email veronica c mcgregor@nasa gov

The Summer of Innovation program uses the excitement of NASA missions to keep students interested in science and math during the "summer slide," a measurable loss of learning skills that occurs during the school break

Approximately 250 middle school students and teachers have been invited to the June 10th event at JPL They will have the opportunity to speak directly with NASA astronauts, engineers and scientists and will participate in eight interactive and educational activities, such as launching paper rockets and building comets from Styrofoam and ribbon They also will see NASA robotics in action and meet the next Mars rover, Curiosity The rover is being assembled at JPL and is scheduled to launch in 2011

The students invited to JPL are from these schools: Better Educated Students for Tomorrow After School Enrichment Program, Los Angeles Micro-Enterprise Charter Academy, Long Beach, Calif Washington Middle School, Pasadena, Calif Foshay Learning Center, Los Angeles

To view the event and for NASA TV downlink, schedule and streaming video information, visit:

http://www nasa gov/ntv

Live video streaming of the Summer of Innovation kickoff also will be available on the Web between 1 p m - 3 p m EDT at:

http://www ustream tv/nasajpl

For information about NASA education programs, visit:

http://www nasa gov/education

For information about NASA and agency programs, visit:

http://www nasa gov

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