Generation Science Standards ( NGSS ) — sponsored a NASA Lunar and Meteorite Sample Certification Workshop led by NASA Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute ‘ s ( SSERVI ) Brian Day and Joseph Minafra . In addition , NASA ’ s Brian Mitchell — the Education and Public Outreach manager for NASA ’ s Discovery / New Frontiers / Lunar Quest Program Office at the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville , Alabama , — delivered an inspiring public talk titled , “ Discovery , New Frontiers , and Solar System Exploration .”
A highlight of this year ’ s Journey program was the return of Hilo-raised student and astrophysics PhD candidate Devin Chu from University of California Los Angeles ( Figure 1 ). An alumnus of the Journey program ( and Hilo High School ), Chu shared with students , teachers , and the community how the Journey program influenced and helped guide his dream of becoming an astronomer . During the week he also returned to his alma mater of Hilo Intermediate to model the effects of gravity on massive bodies using a “ gravity well .”
Figure 2 ( below ). Gemini Public Information and Outreach intern Sylvia Kowalski ( left ) takes directions from Gemini Associate Director of Development Scot Kleinman ( right ) and Keaukaha Elementary students as she pretends to be the Mars Curiosity Rover .
Figure 3 ( above ). NASA SSERVI ’ s Jennifer Baer engages Kapiolani
Elementary students in an activity on manipulating graphics using a tablet .
Figure 4 ( right ). Tomonori Usuda , Director of the Thirty Meter
Telescope-Japan , has fun with Hilo Intermediate School students , showing them the ins and outs of the Subaru Telescope .
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