Troy, N.Y. - Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has joined forces with the Junior Museum, Time Warner Cable, and A&E Television Networks to host a day of space-related activities for local youth on nationally recognized "Space Day," May 1. The events will kick off "Space Month," a program of exhibitions, workshops, contests, and discussions scheduled throughout May that are designed to boost area kids' interest in space, science, and technology.

Space Day will begin with a tour of the George M. Low Gallery in the Low Center for Industrial Innovation on Rensselaer's campus from 9 to 9:45 a.m. Low, a Rensselaer alumnus from the Class of 1948 and 14th president of the university, headed the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) Apollo Program and helped put man on the moon. The Low Gallery, which is reminiscent of the inside of a space shuttle, includes historic NASA memorabilia, autographed pictures of astronauts, and Low's Presidential Medal of Freedom.

In two "Meet the Scientist" segments from 10 to 10:45 a.m. and 11 to 11:45 a.m. at the Junior Museum, children will get the chance to talk with space researchers and Rensselaer professors Afina Lupulescu and Heidi Newberg. Lupulescu, research associate professor of materials science, will show crystals grown in space, and Newberg, associate professor of physics, will explain comets and help some participants make them.

Immediately following a reception and a live, interactive Web cast and video program hosted by Time Warner Cable and A&E Television Networks at the Junior Museum, the day's festivities will conclude with a final tour of Rensselaer's Low Gallery from 2 to 2:45 p.m.

"Rensselaer has been a consistent and enthusiastic partner with the Junior Museum," said Allison Newman, director of community relations at Rensselaer. "Getting youngsters excited about science, technology, engineering, and their many applications is what the Institute is all about. We are particularly delighted to share the treasure trove of NASA history available in the George M. Low Gallery on campus."

Other highlights of Space Month include a discussion with Rensselaer architecture professor Ted Krueger of his design ideas for living in space; a display of a prototype of the cylinder that Lupulescu and fellow Rensselaer professor Martin Glicksman used to grow crystals on the Space Shuttle Columbia in 1997; and additional tours of the Low Gallery and space-related sights on Rensselaer's campus.

Contact: Caroline Jenkins
Phone: (518) 276-6531
E-mail: N/A