University Park, Pa. -- Deep sea science and mid-ocean ridges may seem worlds away from space exploration, but, at Penn State's seventh annual Space Day, ocean research will be found next to aeronautics and sailplanes; and stars, black holes and galaxies. Space Day will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 22 in Penn State's HUB-Robeson Center on the University Park campus. The event is free to the public.
The full range of research that supports the exploration of space includes not only extraterrestrial environments and underwater environments, but also the Earth's environment today and in the past. Most of the exhibits on these and other areas will be presented by undergraduate and graduate students majoring in these fields.
This year the Rural Multi-District Space Alliance, composed of students and teachers from Bellefonte, Bald Eagle and Penns Valley Area school districts, will feature science, engineering and art activities. The alliance is a partnership between the school districts, Penn State and NASA.
"Participating in Space Day at Penn State is like going to a science museum for a day," said Angela Phelps, assistant director for kindergarten to 12th grade programs, NASA's Pennsylvania Space Grant Consortium "You can participate in fun science and engineering activities including exhibits, interactive events and presentations."
A mix of exhibits, interactive activities and presentations, Space Day is an opportunity to let the mind wander into unknown realms in galaxies far, far away or experience a birds' eye view of our own planet.
Also participating in this year's Space Day are students from the three Pennsylvania NASA Explorer Schools -- Shaw Middle School in Philadelphia, Harrison Morton Middle School in Allentown and Greencastle-Antrim School District in Greencastle. These special guests will present information on their NASA activities throughout the year. The Pennsylvania Space Grant Consortium, the sponsor of Space Day, also sponsors some of the Explorer School activities.
Jim Pawelczyk, associate professor of kineseology and payload specialist aboard space shuttle mission STS-90 Neurolab in 1998, will talk on "Ready ... Set ... Go? How Will Human Biology affect Moon and Mars Exploration?" at noon.
At 1:30 p.m., Matt Keil, NASA aerospace education specialist, will present "The Vision for Space Exploration -- What Comes Next."
For more information go to http://www.psu.edu/spacegrant/spaceday or contact the Pennsylvania Space Grant Consortium at (814) 863-3608.