Space Foundation Presents Audience with an Astronaut for World Space Week

Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sept. 23, 2013) – On Friday, Oct. 4, the global celebration of World Space Week will launch locally when more than 500 elementary and middle school students and educators fill the seats of the U.S. Air Force Academy’s (USAFA) Fairchild Hall auditorium for presentations by former NASA Astronaut Leroy Chiao, Ph.D.

The Space Foundation is bringing Chiao to Colorado Springs to share his experiences as a Space Shuttle astronaut and as a resident of the International Space Station (ISS). Chiao will participate in several of the Space Foundation’s World Space Week activities, celebrated each year Oct. 4-10.

Based in Houston, Chiao is the Space Foundation’s special advisor-human spaceflight. His Space Shuttle missions include: STS-92 Discovery, Oct. 11-24, 2000; STS-72 Endeavour, Jan. 11-20, 1996; STS-65 Columbia, July 8-23, 1994. In addition, he flew as flight engineer 1 aboard Soyuz TMA-5 to the ISS, where he served as commander and NASA science officer for Expedition 10. He lived on the ISS for six and half months.

The USAFA and the Space Foundation share an interest in using space to inspire school children’s interest in STEM subjects — science, technology, engineering and mathematics, and both organizations have programs that support STEM education.

The Oct. 4 event at USAFA will include presentations of the Academy’s popular Physics is Phun and a shortened version of its Chemistry Magic Show, plus a hybrid rocket demonstration.

The Space Foundation’s Audience with an Astronaut program brings astronauts to speak to the classes of Space Foundation Teacher Liaisons nationwide. Teacher Liaisons are chosen for their integration of space themes in the classroom, and the Space Foundation is now accepting online applications for Teacher Liaisons through Dec. 6 at www.spacefoundation.org/education.

About the U.S. Air Force K-12 Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics Outreach Center
The United States Air Force Academy’s (USAFA) K-12 Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Outreach Center supports a wide variety of STEM outreach activities to K-12 students and educators. Leveraging a comprehensive regional enterprise and sustainment strategy, the center, in partnership with regional non-profit organizations and local industry, provides STEM educational opportunities for thousands of K-12 students beyond the classroom. The center provides continuing education opportunities, access to regional and national resources programs for STEM educators via workshops at USAF Academy facilities and local schools, and support to other communities endeavoring to create their own STEM outreach programs. Information about the center’s programs can be found on the USAFA Research webpage at www.usafa.edu/df/dfe/dfer/index.cfm?catname=research.

About the Space Foundation
Founded in 1983, the Space Foundation is the foremost advocate for all sectors of space, and is a global, nonprofit leader in space awareness activities, educational programs and major industry events, including the annual Space Symposium, all in support of its mission “to advance space-related endeavors to inspire, enable and propel humanity.” Space Foundation world headquarters in Colorado Springs, Colo., features a public Discovery Center including the El Pomar Space Gallery and the Northrop Grumman Science Center featuring Science On a Sphere®, and is a member of the American Alliance of Museums. The Space Foundation has a field office in Houston, and from its Washington, D.C., office, conducts government affairs, publishes The Space Report: The Authoritative Guide to Global Space Activity and provides three indexes that track daily U.S. stock market performance of the space industry. Through its Space Certification™ and Space Technology Hall of Fame® programs, the Space Foundation recognizes space-based technologies and innovations that have been adapted to improve life on Earth. Visit www.SpaceFoundation.org, follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest and Twitter, and read our e-newsletter Space Watch.