Dayton, Ohio Go For Launch! Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Michelle Lucas
Higher Orbits
707-893-STAR
michelle@HigherOrbits.org

HIGHER ORBITS BRINGS GO FOR LAUNCH! STEM EVENT TO DAYTON, OH
Students Compete for the Opportunity to Have Experiments Launch into Space
March 6, 2016 Leesburg, Virginia — Higher Orbits is set to host its next Go For Launch! program at Dayton Regional STEM School in Kettering, Ohio, from March 24-26. Students in grades 8-12 from any area school are welcome to attend the three-day program that that uses space exploration as a platform to launch student engagement in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM), STEAM (Art); teamwork; communication; and leadership. This event is the first in Ohio and the final event in the current Orbital ATK Division of Go For Launch!

The students will participate in collaborative activities and develop an idea for a space experiment to be presented to a panel of judges. The judges choose one winning experiment at each Go For Launch! event that will go on to compete for the overall Divisional title, the winner of which will see their experiment launched into space. Registration for students is $250 and includes all supplies, snacks, and meals as well as event shirt and patch. To register, or for more information, please visit www.GoForLaunch.space.

Through participation in Go For Launch!, students learn about human spaceflight through a variety of hands-on activities delivered by experienced industry professionals. Speakers scheduled to participate in this event include retired Astronaut Frank Culbertson, former International Space Station Flight Controller and Astronaut Instructor Michelle Lucas and more. The goal is to inspire tomorrow’s scientists and engineers by illustrating the numerous opportunities that exist in STEM-related careers.

“Encouraging students to excel in the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics is an Orbital ATK core value,” said Frank Culbertson, President, Orbital ATK Space Systems Group. “We are honored to support this next generation of space explorers and inspire them to design innovative science experiments that could be flown to the space station aboard our company’s Cygnus spacecraft.”

“We are excited to have recently announced that our first Go For Launch! 2016 Division winner will have their experiment launched to the International Space Station in 2017 aboard Orbital ATK’s Cygnus spacecraft,” said Michelle Lucas, Founder of Higher Orbits. “We are grateful to have Orbital ATK as a Division Sponsor this year. Our ongoing journey to space inspires all ages and we are lucky to have industry experts as partners to help us spread that message.”

“Go For Launch is an exciting opportunity for our students, and we are thrilled to be able to host this event at the Dayton Regional STEM School this year,” said Arch Grieve, Community Outreach Director of Dayton Regional STEM School. “Project-based learning and authentic assessments are two things we love to do at DRSS, and the opportunity for our students to design experiments and have them go up to the space station is amazing!”

Go For Launch! Dayton is presented in partnership with Dayton Regional STEM School. It is supported by following Sponsors – Division Sponsor Orbital ATK; Mars Rover Sponsors – Lee’s Chicken of Dayton and AIAA Dayton-Cincinnati Section, Lunar Colonists Classical Conversations as well as Intergalactic Sponsors: Space Tango, Kentucky Space, uniphi space agency and Space Shirts. Without these sponsors, this event would not be possible. Sponsorship opportunities are available at various levels for individual events, divisions, or the overall program.

About Higher Orbits
Higher Orbits is a 501(c)3 non-profit with the mission of promoting Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM); along with leadership, teamwork, and communication through the use of spaceflight. Mankind’s journey into space serves as an ideal launchpad to excite students of all ages about STEM and working to fulfill their dreams and ambitions. Higher Orbits uses a variety of programs and partnerships with other organizations to achieve these goals and is excited to be holding events across the US in 2017. To learn more visit https://higherorbits.org

About Orbital ATK
Orbital ATK is a global leader in aerospace and defense technologies. The company designs, builds and delivers space, defense and aviation systems for customers around the world, both as a prime contractor and merchant supplier. Its main products include launch vehicles and related propulsion systems; missile products, subsystems and defense electronics; precision weapons, armament systems and ammunition; satellites and associated space components and services; and advanced aerospace structures. Headquartered in Dulles, Virginia, Orbital ATK employs approximately 12,500 people in 18 states across the U.S. and in several international locations. For more information, visit www.orbitalatk.com.

About Astronaut (Retired) Frank Culbertson
Captain Frank Culbertson (US Navy, Retired) flew as the pilot on STS-38 and the Commander of STS-51. He then served as the Shuttle-Mir Program Manager before flying to the International Space Station as the Commander of Expedition 3. Today, Culbertson serves as the President of the Space Systems Group at Orbital ATK. To learn more, visit https://www.AstronautFrankCulbertson.com

Media note: Additional Photo Collaterals, including an event patch, are available. Astronaut interview also available. For more details please contact Michelle Lucas at GoForLaunch@higherorbits.org or call 707-893-STAR.
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