(JACKSON, Miss.) – The Jackson State University/NASA Educator Resource Center and Office of Naval Research will sponsor “Space Day” events at three local schools Monday, Wednesday and Friday, March 19, 21 and 23. The media is invited to attend.
The schools include Gary Road Intermediate School in Byram on March 19, Cardozo Middle School in Jackson on March 21 and Walton Elementary in Jackson on March 23.
Each Space Day event will involve hundreds of students in a full day of interactive exhibits, including 13 full-scale science simulators. The exhibits include a mobile space lab module, a space shuttle flight simulator and a lunar roving vehicle. Students also will have the opportunity to feel what it’s like to walk on the moon with anti-gravity boots and learn how astronauts go to the bathroom.
The objectives of JSU’s Space Day events are to promote goal setting and increase students’ awareness of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Along with JSU representatives, the program will include participation from the Mississippi Natural Science Museum and local police and fire departments.
Space Day is the award-winning program presented by the Traveling Space Museum, Inc., that brings full-scale and interactive space-themed exhibits to schools throughout the country. The program combines the interactivity of a space camp and the thrill of a theme park.
The JSU/NASA Educator Resource Center provides expertise and facilities to help educators utilize science, mathematics and technology-based instructional products that are aligned with the Mississippi K-12 curriculum and national education standards and are based on NASA’s unique missions.
Schedule:
Monday, March 19
Gary Road Intermediate School, 7255 Gary Road, Byram
8 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Wednesday, March 21
Cardozo Middle School, 3180 McDowell Road Extension, Jackson
9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Friday, March 23
Walton Elementary School, 3200 Bailey Avenue Extension, Jackson
8:30 a.m. – 1:45 pm