VIERA – National Space Club Florida Committee has donated $40,000 to the Brevard Schools Foundation for Space Week, a program that over a two week period in December allows all 5,300 Brevard County sixth grade students and their science teachers to participate in a full day of organized and hands-on activities at Kennedy Space Center designed to inspire them about the Vision for Space Exploration. Their contribution is matched by a grant from the Consortium of Florida Education Foundations.
Adrian Laffitte, National Space Club Space Week Chairman and Director of Florida Government Relations for Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company, presented the check at the Brevard County School Board’s November 16 meeting and will acknowledge it again at the National Space Club’s January luncheon.
“Supporting Brevard Space Week is a natural fit for our organization. The event excites students about the space industry as a potential career path; while encouraging them to study science, technology, engineering and math to reach their goals,” said Adrian Laffitte, National Space Club Space Week Chairman and Director of Florida Government Relations for Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company.
In addition to their financial contributions, National Space Club members and companies also participate during Space Week by giving student presentations and setting up aerospace-themed exhibits for the students. Since 2003, over 35,000 sixth grade students have participated in this innovative program.
“If the U. S. is to regain its prominence in science and technology, then we simply must excite the imagination of the next generation,” said Brevard Schools Foundation President Mason Williams. “Space Week is exactly the kind of program that stimulates student interest in exploring space, becoming an astronaut or helping launch space vehicles.”
The National Space Club (NSC), founded in 1957, stimulates the exchange of ideas and information about rocketry and astronautics, and promotes the recognition of America’s achievements in aerospace. The Club, which meets monthly in Cape Canaveral, is a non-profit corporation composed of representatives of industry, government, educational institutions and private individuals who share a commitment to increasing public awareness of America’s aerospace programs. Since the inception of Space Week, the National Space Club has contributed over $125,000 to the program.
Brevard Schools Foundation has raised over $650,000 to support Space Week over the past eight years and also provides scholarships, school supplies, mentoring programs, classroom grants and other direct support designed to enhance education in Brevard Public Schools. The Foundation welcomes financial contributions or in-kind gifts of goods or services. For more information or to contribute call (321) 633-1000 ext. 756