NASA hosts University students to discuss future of Space Exploration

#NASA; #InternationalSpaceStation; #GoddardSpaceFlightCenter; #STEMexplorers 

Washington, Apr 19 (Canadian-Media): NASA is giving university students an opportunity to interact with agency leadership, including NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine, as well as astronauts abroad the International Space Station, during a live event 2 p.m. EDT Monday, April 29, at the agency’s headquarters in Washington, reported NASA yesterday.

As part of an agency-wide session with students for National Intern Day on July 26, 2018, NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine spoke at the agency's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. Interns from Goddard and other NASA centers were able to ask Bridenstine questions about the space agency’s programs and projects. Here, an intern at Goddard poses a question to Bridenstine during a Q&A in the center's Hinners Auditorium.
Credits: NASA/Rebecca Roth

The event, intended to inspire the next generation of STEM explorers skilled in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math, will air live on NASA Television and the agency’s website. It also will stream live on Facebook and Twitter. Viewers can submit questions during the event using the hashtag #askNASA.

Participants at NASA Headquarters include: Administrator Bridenstine; Associate Administrator for the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate Willliam Gerstenmaier; and Associate Administrator for the Science Mission Directorate Thomas Zurbuchen.

In addition, students will be able to ask questions during a live Earth-to-space call with NASA astronauts Christina Koch and Nick Hague, currently serving as part of the Expedition 59 crew aboard the International Space Station.

As NASA plans a return of American astronauts to the Moon by 2024 and eventually going on to Mars, the agency is looking to the next generation of STEM explorers to help achieve its goals. Going forward to the Moon will create new economic opportunities, a sustainable exploration campaign, and a foundation to go on to Mars.

Media interested in attending the event should contact Katherine Brown at katherine.m.brown@nasa.gov or 202-358-1288 no later than noon, Thursday, April 25. Media interested in how local Space Grant Program colleges and universities are participating in the event should contact Colleen Fava at colleenf@lsu.edu or Susie Johnson at susiej@uidaho.edu.

The event is hosted by NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement. Partners for the event include the Space Grant Consortium, the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics and Students for the Exploration and Development of Space.

For more information about NASA STEM engagement, visit: 

https://www.nasa.gov/stem  and  https://twitter.com/nasaedu