Press Release

NASA Awareness Week in Charlotte to Reach Thousands, Media Invited

By SpaceRef Editor
February 25, 2011
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CHARLOTTE, N.C. – A NASA team — including a space shuttle astronaut — will bring the excitement of science, technology, engineering and math education to Charlotte during the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) tournament, Feb. 28-March 5.

This annual event for 13 historically black colleges and universities showcases six days of men’s and women’s basketball at the Time Warner Cable Arena in downtown Charlotte.

On March 2, astronaut Lee Morin will kick off NASA Awareness week during a special “Education Day” event from 8:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the Charlotte Convention Center. Hundreds of local middle and high school students will be in attendance.

From March 2-5, tournament attendees can visit the NASA booth at the arena for hands-on activities, games and educational materials. NASA will also participate at the CIAA Career Expo at the convention center from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, March 3. College students interested in learning more about internships with NASA field centers are encouraged to stop by.

On Friday, NASA will host a STEM Awareness Breakfast Forum from 7-9 a.m. at the Westin Hotel, 601 South College St., in downtown Charlotte. NASA education officials will highlight education programs and showcase opportunities available for educators in North Carolina. NASA Administrator Charlie Bolden and Leland Melvin, associate administrator for education, will join the discussion via Internet connection.

“NASA Awareness in Charlotte at the CIAA is an excellent venue to engage the 13 member institutions, the CIAA family and fans to the importance of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), as only NASA can,” said Roger Hathaway, director of education at NASA Langley Research Center in Hampton, Va. “By raising the awareness of STEM, many of the attendees will become aware of education opportunities for faculty and students at all levels.”

Media interested in interviewing astronaut Morin should contact NASA public affairs specialist Amy Johnson at 757-272-9859. Media interested in attending the NASA STEM Awareness Breakfast Forum on March 4 should contact Ms. Johnson no later than 6 p.m. March 3.

For more information about NASA education programs, visit www.nasa.gov/education

For more information about the CIAA, visit www.theciaa.com

SpaceRef staff editor.