NASA plans 'Summer of Innovation'

PASADENA, Calif., June 2 (UPI) -- The U.S. space agency says it's planning its "Summer of Innovation" initiative to engage U.S. middle school students and teachers in science-based education.

The program starts June 10 at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif. The goal, officials said, is to increase the number of future scientists, mathematicians and engineers with an emphasis on broadening participation of low-income and minority students.

NASA Administrator Charles Bolden, JPL Director Charles Elachi and astronaut Leland Melvin will share their personal space exploration experiences with middle school students during a live 1-3 p.m. EDT NASA Television program June 10, officials said.

The Summer of Innovation program uses the excitement of NASA missions to keep students interested in science and math during the "summer slide," a measurable loss of learning skills that occurs during the school break, the space agency said

Approximately 250 middle school students and teachers have been invited to the event at JPL. They will have the opportunity to speak directly with NASA astronauts, engineers and scientists and will participate in eight interactive and educational activities, such as launching paper rockets and building comets from Styrofoam and ribbon. They also will see NASA robotics in action and meet the next Mars rover, Curiosity, which is being assembled at JPL and scheduled for launch next year.

NASA TV downlink, schedule and streaming video information are available at http://www.nasa.gov/ntv, along with the televised event.