Thursday, January 24, 2008

Challenger Tragedy Remembered

NASA Astronaut flies Challenger Learning Center mission with students
On anniversary of Challenger tragedy, presents mission patches that flew on STS-


WHAT: On the anniversary of the Challenger tragedy, a NASA astronaut will lead an all-student crew on a simulated mission to Mars. In a ceremony dedicated to the spirit of the Challenger 51-L astronauts, he will present a flag and plaque with a DVD containing Challenger Learning Center mission patches that flew on the recent STS-120 mission.

WHO: NASA Astronaut Scott Parazynski, STS-120 mission specialist and member of the board of trustees of the Houston Museum of Natural Science. Dr. Parazynski has logged over eight weeks in space and traveled over 23 million miles.

Carolyn Sumners, Ed.D., Vice President of Astronomy & Physics, who led the creation of the world’s first Challenger Learning Center at the Houston Museum of Natural Science.

WHEN: Jan. 28, 2008

10:30 a.m.
Dr. Parazynski will present a museum flag and a DVD plaque to Carolyn Sumners. The flag and DVD flew on STS-120, carrying images of patches created for over 400 missions in the Challenger Learning Center, representing the work of over 15,000 students. Images of these patches will be available at www.hmns.org beginning Jan. 28.

10:35 – 11:30 a.m.
Dr. Parazynski leads a Mission to Mars with a student crew from HISD’s Hartman Middle School. These students are participating in the ExxonMobil Career Challenge program, which gives them the opportunity to sample the science and engineering careers possible in 21st-century Houston.

11:30 – 11:50 a.m.
Dr. Parazynski will visit the Planetarium to review fish-eye images taken by crewmembers during his recent mission specifically for Houston Museum of Natural Science audiences. The images will become a pre-show adventure for visitors to the Burke Baker Planetarium.

WHERE: Houston Museum of Natural Science
One Hermann Circle Dr., 77030

HOW: Contact Erin Blatzer at (713) 639-4785 or Melodie Francis at 713-639-4743, or come to Museum Services for assistance.

WHY: On the anniversary of the Challenger tragedy, Dr. Parazynski joins the Museum in honoring the spirit of exploration exemplified by the fallen astronauts and celebrates the accomplishments of hundreds of thousands of visiting students.

This year, the Museum observes the 20th anniversary of the opening of the world’s first Challenger Learning Center. Since it’s opening at the Houston Museum of Natural Science, over 500,000 students have flown missions in the Museum’s Challenger Learning Center, at the main Museum and at the George Observatory.

Until the next nap time...