Students in the My Brother’s Keeper program hear from experts from across NASA’s Kennedy Space Center during a panel discussion in the Space Station Processing Facility Conference Center. Seated from left to right are Sheldon Lauderdale of the Commercial Crew Program (CCP); Yves Lamothe of the Ground Systems Development and Operations Program; Jennifer Levitt of CCP; Trent Smith and DeAntae Cooper (far right) of the Exploration Research and Technology Programs; and Malcolm Boston of the Launch Services Program. The spaceport is one of six NASA centers that participated in My Brother’s Keeper National Lab Week. The event is a nationwide effort to bring youth from underrepresented communities into federal labs and centers for hands-on activities, tours and inspirational speakers.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In the KSC Training Auditorium at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Yves Lamothe, transition manager for the Ground Systems Development and Operations Program, is the master of ceremonies at a special event marking the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Center Director Robert Cabana made the opening remarks. Dr. Mary Frances Berry, an award-winning civil rights activist and former member of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, was the guest speaker. The event was presented by Kennedy's Office of Diversity and Equal Opportunity. For more information on Kennedy Space Center, visit http://www.nasa.gov/kennedy. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

Merritt Island, Fla. – Kennedy Space Center worker Yves Lamothe and Center Director Bob Cabana welcome guests to the 2013 Black Employee Strategy Team BEST BBQ at KARS Park I on Merritt Island. Events included a noncompetitive car show and a spades tournament. BEST hosts the barbecue as a fundraiser for the Evelyn Johnson Scholarship, which is handed out every year to students who exemplify significant achievement both academically and in their community. The scholarship is in honor of Evelyn Johnson, a founding member of BEST and former deputy director of Kennedy’s Diversity and Equal Opportunity Office. Photo credit: NASA/ Charisse Nahser

Merritt Island, Fla. – Kennedy Space Center worker Yves Lamothe and Center Director Bob Cabana welcome guests to the 2013 Black Employee Strategy Team BEST BBQ at KARS Park I on Merritt Island. Events included a noncompetitive car show and a spades tournament. BEST hosts the barbecue as a fundraiser for the Evelyn Johnson Scholarship, which is handed out every year to students who exemplify significant achievement both academically and in their community. The scholarship is in honor of Evelyn Johnson, a founding member of BEST and former deputy director of Kennedy’s Diversity and Equal Opportunity Office. Photo credit: NASA/ Charisse Nahser

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In the KSC Training Auditorium at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Center Director Robert Cabana addresses the audience at a special event marking the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Yves Lamothe, on stage, transition manager for the Ground Systems Development and Operations Program, was the master of ceremonies. Dr. Mary Frances Berry, an award-winning civil rights activist and former member of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, was the guest speaker. The event was presented by Kennedy's Office of Diversity and Equal Opportunity. For more information on Kennedy Space Center, visit http://www.nasa.gov/kennedy. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

KISSIMMEE, Fla. – During the Tom Joyner Family Reunion, Ken Fullwood of Booz-Allen-Hamilton, left, and Yves Lamothe of the NASA Technical Management Branch of the Ground Systems Development and Operations Program talk to guests about ongoing work to convert the Kennedy Space Center into a 21st century spaceport. The Tom Joyner Family Reunion is designed to present uplifting programs, entertainment and information about growing, diverse communities. An annual event of the nationally-syndicated Tom Joyner Morning Show, the many exhibits included NASA's participation focusing on encouraging young people to consider studies and careers in STEM -- science, technology, engineering and math. NASA's Education Division promoted the benefits of math and scientific learning along with career opportunities offered by the space agency. The activities took place at the Gaylord Palms Resort in Kissimmee, Florida, during the Labor Day weekend. Photo credit: NASA/Daniel Casper

KISSIMMEE, Fla. – Yves Lamothe of the NASA Technical Management Branch of Ground Systems Development and Operations Program speaks with guests at the Tom Joyner Family Reunion about ongoing work to convert the Kennedy Space Center into a 21st century spaceport. The Tom Joyner Family Reunion is designed to present uplifting programs, entertainment and information about growing, diverse communities. An annual event of the nationally-syndicated Tom Joyner Morning Show, the many exhibits included NASA's participation focusing on encouraging young people to consider studies and careers in STEM -- science, technology, engineering and math. NASA's Education Division promoted the benefits of math and scientific learning along with career opportunities offered by the space agency. The activities took place at the Gaylord Palms Resort in Kissimmee, Florida, during the Labor Day weekend. Photo credit: NASA/Daniel Casper

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- In the KSC Training Auditorium at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Dr. Mary Frances Berry, center, accepts a framed poster announcing her appearance from Center Director Robert Cabana, left, who made the opening remarks, and Yves Lamothe, right, transition manager for the Ground Systems Development and Operations Program, the master of ceremonies. Berry served as the assistant secretary for education in the U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare HEW between 1977 and 1980. From 1980 to 2004, she was a member of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, serving as chair from 1993 to 2004. Among Berry's many honors are the NAACP's Roy Wilkins Award, the Rosa Parks Award of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, and the Ebony Magazine Black Achievement Award. She is one of 75 women featured in the book "I Dream a World: Portraits of Black Women Who Changed America." Sienna College Research Institute and the Women's Hall of Fame also designated her one of "America's Women of the Century." The event was presented by Kennedy's Office of Diversity and Equal Opportunity. For more information about Kennedy Space Center, visit http://www.nasa.gov/kennedy. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At NASA Kennedy Space Center in Florida, presenters and Kennedy personnel supporting a NASA Tweetup get a close-up look at space shuttle Endeavour being stored in the Vehicle Assembly Building. From left are Yves Lamothe, lead systems engineer for the 21st Century Ground Systems Program at Kennedy; NASA Deputy Administrator Lori Garver; former astronaut Leland Melvin, NASA associate administrator for Education; and Will.i.am, entertainer and member of The Black Eyed Peas. The Tweetup is part of prelaunch activities for the agency’s Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) launch and provides the opportunity for tweeters will share their experiences with followers through the social networking site Twitter. The MSL mission will pioneer precision landing technology and a sky-crane touchdown to place a car-sized rover, Curiosity, near the foot of a mountain inside Gale Crater on Aug. 6, 2012. During a nearly two-year prime mission after landing, the rover will investigate whether the region has ever offered conditions favorable for microbial life, including the chemical ingredients for life. Liftoff of MSL aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket from Space Launch Complex-41 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station was at 10:02 a.m. EST on Nov. 26. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/msl. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At NASA Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Will.i.am (at center), entertainer and member of The Black Eyed Peas, tours Firing Room 4 in the Launch Control Center accompanied by NASA Deputy Administrator Lori Garver (green jacket); former astronaut Leland Melvin, NASA associate administrator for Education (blue flight suit); and Yves Lamothe, lead systems engineer for the 21st Century Ground Systems Program at Kennedy. The visit to the firing room followed their participation in a NASA Tweetup. The Tweetup is part of prelaunch activities for the agency’s Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) launch and provides the opportunity for tweeters will share their experiences with followers through the social networking site Twitter. The MSL mission will pioneer precision landing technology and a sky-crane touchdown to place a car-sized rover, Curiosity, near the foot of a mountain inside Gale Crater on Aug. 6, 2012. During a nearly two-year prime mission after landing, the rover will investigate whether the region has ever offered conditions favorable for microbial life, including the chemical ingredients for life. Liftoff of MSL aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket from Space Launch Complex-41 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station was at 10:02 a.m. EST on Nov. 26. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/msl. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At NASA Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Will.i.am (left), entertainer and member of The Black Eyed Peas, accompanied by Yves Lamothe, lead systems engineer for the 21st Century Ground Systems Program at Kennedy; former astronaut Leland Melvin, NASA associate administrator for Education (blue flight suit), and NASA Deputy Administrator Lori Garver (green jacket), receives a tour of the Operations and Checkout Building (O&C) from Larry Price, Lockheed Martin deputy program manager. The visit to the O&C followed their participation in a NASA Tweetup. The Tweetup is part of prelaunch activities for the agency’s Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) launch and provides the opportunity for tweeters will share their experiences with followers through the social networking site Twitter. The MSL mission will pioneer precision landing technology and a sky-crane touchdown to place a car-sized rover, Curiosity, near the foot of a mountain inside Gale Crater on Aug. 6, 2012. During a nearly two-year prime mission after landing, the rover will investigate whether the region has ever offered conditions favorable for microbial life, including the chemical ingredients for life. Liftoff of MSL aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket from Space Launch Complex-41 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station was at 10:02 a.m. EST on Nov. 26. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/msl. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At NASA Kennedy Space Center in Florida, presenters in a NASA Tweetup tour the Operations and Checkout Building (O&C). Listening to a briefing from from Larry Price, Lockheed Martin deputy program manager, on the Orion Multi Purpose Crew Vehicle are, from left, NASA Deputy Administrator Lori Garver (green jacket); former astronaut Leland Melvin, NASA associate administrator for Education (blue flight suit); Yves Lamothe, lead systems engineer for the 21st Century Ground Systems Program at Kennedy; Will.i.am, entertainer and member of The Black Eyed Peas; and Lars Perkins, chair of the Education and Public Outreach Committee of the NASA Advisory Council. The visit to the O&C followed their participation in a NASA Tweetup. The Tweetup is part of prelaunch activities for the agency’s Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) launch and provides the opportunity for tweeters will share their experiences with followers through the social networking site Twitter. The MSL mission will pioneer precision landing technology and a sky-crane touchdown to place a car-sized rover, Curiosity, near the foot of a mountain inside Gale Crater on Aug. 6, 2012. During a nearly two-year prime mission after landing, the rover will investigate whether the region has ever offered conditions favorable for microbial life, including the chemical ingredients for life. Liftoff of MSL aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket from Space Launch Complex-41 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station was at 10:02 a.m. EST on Nov. 26. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/msl. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – From left, Yves Lamothe, lead systems engineer for the 21st Century Ground Systems Program at NASA Kennedy Space Center; NASA Administrator Charles Bolden; Will.i.am, entertainer and member of The Black Eyed Peas; and former astronaut Leland Melvin, NASA associate administrator for Education, take part in a Tweetup at NASA Kennedy Space Center's Press Site in Florida during prelaunch activities for the agency’s Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) launch. Behind them, the countdown clock ticks off the seconds to launch. Participants in the Tweetup are given the opportunity to listen to agency briefings, tour locations on the center normally off limits to visitors, and get a close-up view of Space Launch Complex-41 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. The tweeters will share their experiences with followers through the social networking site Twitter. The MSL mission will pioneer precision landing technology and a sky-crane touchdown to place a car-sized rover, Curiosity, near the foot of a mountain inside Gale Crater on Aug. 6, 2012. During a nearly two-year prime mission after landing, the rover will investigate whether the region has ever offered conditions favorable for microbial life, including the chemical ingredients for life. Liftoff of MSL aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket from pad 41 is planned during a launch window which extends from 10:02 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. EST on Nov. 26. For more information, visit http://www.nasa.gov/msl. Photo credit: NASA/Frankie Martin