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).
Where: Lorraine 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:
