Astronauts to speak on campus, attend Space Day
October 9, 2012
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Astronauts and Purdue University alumni Andrew Feustel and Scott Tingle will discuss their experiences in the space program during a talk Oct. 19 on campus.
The event, which is free and open to the public, begins at 8 p.m. in the Class of 1950 Lecture Hall.
Astronaut David Wolf, also a Purdue alumnus, will join Feustel and Tingle for the annual Purdue Space Day on Oct. 20. The three astronauts will give a presentation to Space Day participants at 9:30 a.m. in Elliott Hall of Music. That event also is free and open to the public.
More than 670 students in grades three to eight are registered for the 17th annual Purdue Space Day, which is filled to capacity. The participants come from 158 schools and home-school programs in five states.
After addressing the students at the start of Space Day, Feustel, Tingle and Wolf will participate in activities throughout the day.
Feustel earned a master's degree in earth and atmospheric sciences in 1991; Tingle earned a master's in mechanical engineering in 1988; and Wolf earned a bachelor's in electrical engineering in 1978.
Purdue Space Day provides students the opportunity to learn about science, technology, engineering and math by participating in three age-appropriate activity sessions throughout the day.
Students in grades three and four will build model spacecraft that will carry eggs dropped from a third-floor window, become real rocket scientists when they deploy dry ice rockets, and will build and test orbiting objects, which will introduce the concept of orbits and satellites.
Students in grades five and six will deploy balloon satellites, learn the basic principles of astronomy by observing the night sky, and learn the fundamental principles of rocket propulsion by designing, constructing and testing their own rocket.
Students in grades seven and eight will design, build and test a high-powered water rocket; design, build and test a solar car; and build and test a trebuchet, which is a medieval engine for hurling missiles.
Purdue Space Day is a student organization hosted by the School of Aeronautics and Astronautics. More information about Purdue Space Day is at http://purduespaceday.com
Writer: Judith Barra Austin, 765-494-2432, jbaustin@purdue.edu
Source: Ann Broughton, School of Aeronautics and Astronautics, 765-494-5147, broughto@purdue.edu
Note to Journalists: Journalists wishing to interview Andrew Feustel, Scott Tingle or David Wolf should contact Ellie Broughton, 765-714-3564, ebrought@purdue.edu. Journalists planning on covering Space Day on Oct. 20 can get information on activity locations that day in the Armstrong Hall atrium.
