FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Michelle Lucas
Higher Orbits
707-893-STAR
michelle@HigherOrbits.org
HIGHER ORBITS BRINGS GO FOR LAUNCH! TO DEERFIELD
Nonprofit Uses Space Exploration to Foster Student Engagement in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math
April 28, 2016—Leesburg, Va.—Higher Orbits today announced that it will host its first-ever Go For Launch! programs in Illinois at Deerfield High School in June. Students in the Chicagoland area will have the opportunity to participate in 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.
Through their participation in Go For Launch! students learn about human spaceflight and get insight and feedback through a variety of talks delivered by experienced space and STEM professionals. Speakers scheduled to participate in this event include retired Astronaut Dottie Metcalf-Lindenburger, former ISS Flight Controller and Astronaut Instructor Michelle Lucas and others. The goal is to illustrate the numerous opportunities that exist in STEM-related careers.
“I am very excited to come share my personal journey with students, and to encourage them to pursue a path in STEM and STEAM careers,” said Metcalf-Lindenburger. “I know they will learn, network, and enjoy their experience, and I hope they leave knowing they that, through hard work, they can dare to dream big!”
The students will participate in collaborative activities and develop the idea for a space experiment, which they will present to a panel of judges in the space and STEM fields (including an astronaut). The judges will choose a winner at each Go For Launch! event. Winners from each event in the division will compete for the divisional title and those winners will have their experiments launched into space.
“As someone who grew up in the Chicagloand area, I am thrilled to be able to bring Go For Launch! to Deerfield,” said Michelle Lucas, Founder of Higher Orbits. “Space inspires and I can’t wait to share that message with the students in the area.”
Go For Launch! will run June 27-29, 2016 for high school aged students and June 30-July 2, 2016 for middle school aged students. Both programs will be held at Deerfield High School. Registration for students is $250 and includes all supplies and meals. To register, or for more information, please visit www.GoForLaunch.space.
“We are really excited to host the Go For Launch! program at Deerfield High School this summer,” said school Principal Chris Dignam, Ed.D “I’ve already had several students approach me to tell me they are looking forward to it. A lot of our kids would love to go to Space Camp in Huntsville, but it simply isn’t an option because of the distance. This will give them a chance to explore a topic they love, and might even launch them towards an academic or career path,”.
Higher Orbits is supported by Intergalactic Sponsors: Space Tango, Kentucky Space, and eddi who help make Go For Launch! events possible. Sponsorship opportunities are available at various levels for individual events, divisions, or the overall program. For more details please contact Michelle Lucas at GoForLaunch@higherorbits.org or call 707-893-STAR.
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. To learn more visit https://higherorbits.org
About Astronaut (Retired) Dorothy Metcalf-Lindenburger
Dottie Metcalf-Lindenburger flew as a Mission Specialist on STS-131 and served as Commander of NASA’s Extreme Environment Mission Operations (NEEMO) 16 mission. She is one of four educator astronauts to fly in space and continues to be an active advocate for STEM programs. To learn visit https://www.astronautdorothymetcalflindenburger.com/
Additional Collaterals Including Logos and Photos available at
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/fzq5lsyl1zl02mg/AAAbxfISTRvtJd4sUWx5iip4a?dl=0
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