Report from Headquarters
Float Gives Universal Definition to "Home"
Written by: developer
The Space Foundation’s inaugural float in the Colorado Springs Festival of Lights Parade gave a unique twist to the parade’s theme of “Home for the Holidays.” It featured children surrounding a glowing globe of the Earth, our home in the universe. The Earth theme also echoed a feature of our new Space Foundation Visitors Center and the Northrop Grumman Science Center Science On a Sphere® (SOS).
The parade, held this year on Dec. 1, is an annual tradition in Colorado Springs, and this is the first year the Space Foundation has been represented in the parade. The float, featuring thousands of blue lights and an inflated globe, was built by a team from the Space Foundation, who also walked alongside sporting lighted gloves, wigs and glasses. The children on the float were from Cub Scout Pack 4 (pictured below) and Girl Scout Troop 4598. The “Stormtroopers” escorting the float were from the Mountain Garrison of the 501st Legion, a world wide organization that raised over 11 million in charity last year.
The Space Foundation team, headed by Community Relations Manager Kaye Kerr, included Cathryn Griffiths, Julie Howell, Sadie Jackson, Bernadette Maisel, Amy Mirocha, Elias Molen (and his wife, Joyce), Phil Nowicki, Nancy Reed (pictured, right), Randi Rivera, Kelly Shelton, Janet Stevens, Kathy Vinson and Rebecca Williams. Space Foundation friend Rick Sanford also provided support. Pictured, right, Rebecca Willianms, Bernadette Maisel and Kelly Shelton.
SOS is a new educational tool in the Space Foundation Northrop Grumman Science Center and includes a built-in computer lab, 70-inch HD digital display systems to complement the six-foot spherical projection system, surround sound and stadium seating for 49 students.
Educators who are interested in arranging an SOS education program at the Space Foundation Northrop Grumman Science Center should call 1.719.576.8000. The Space Foundation Northrop Grumman Science Center is located within the Space Foundation Visitors Center at its world headquarters in Colorado Springs at 4425 Arrowswest Drive.
The float was a big hit with the holiday crowd – estimated to be more than 50,000 people – and was named winner of the “Rudolph Award, Best Lighting on a Float” by parade organizers.
See photos here.
This article is part of Space Watch: December 2012 (Volume: 11, Issue: 12).