NASA 'Summer of Innovation' program starts

PASADENA, Calif., June 10 (UPI) -- NASA Administrator Charles Bolden officially started the agency's "Summer of Innovation" program Thursday at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California.

The program -- part of President Obama's "Educate to Innovate" campaign -- is an initiative to engage U.S. middle school students and teachers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics during the summer when many pupils experience a loss of skills acquired during the school year.

About 250 students from the Los Angeles area participated in the festivities, which included an opportunity to interact with astronauts, NASA scientists and engineers, NASA said. The youngsters also had an opportunity to tour JPL where the next Mars rover is being built.

"It is wonderful to feel the excitement generated by these students as they experienced first-hand what fascinating and challenging opportunities exist for students who follow STEM career paths," Bolden said. "I hope that by getting these students involved in NASA's missions and programs now, it may pave the way for a new generation of scientists and engineers, which is critically important to our nation's future."

More information about the program is available at http://www.nasa.gov/soi.