CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, students from Brevard County Schools gather in the Headquarters Building fourth floor conference room for a presentation about the past, present and future of space exploration during the Brevard Top Scholars event hosted by the Education Office. Speaking to the students is Hortense Diggs, chief of the Education Programs division. At the podium is Kelvin Manning, associate director for Business Operations at the center. The event was held to honor the top two scholars of the 2012 graduating student class from each of Brevard County’s public high schools. The students toured Launch Complex 39 and the orbiter processing facility, heard from speakers on a variety of topics and received a personalized certificate during their day at Kennedy Space Center. Photo credit: NASA/Frankie Martin

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- -- NASA Kennedy Space Center Deputy Director Janet Petro addresses pre-calculus, engineering, and physics students at Timber Creek High School in Orlando, Fla., on the future of the center during an education outreach event on Nov. 16 in the school’s Performing Arts Center. Students also had the opportunity to view FIRST Robotics robot in action and learned about Kennedy’s Educate to Innovate (KETI) LEGO Mindstorm activities. Photo credit: NASA/Gianni Woods

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Pre-calculus, engineering, and physics students at Timber Creek High School in Orlando, Fla., had the opportunity to view a FIRST robotics robot demonstration during an education outreach event on Nov. 16 in the school’s Performing Arts Center. Students, heard from NASA Kennedy Space Center Deputy Director Janet Petro about work being done at the center, and learned about Kennedy’s Educate to Innovate (KETI) LEGO Mindstorm activities. Photo credit: NASA/Gianni Woods

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- -- Pre-calculus, engineering, and physics students at Timber Creek High School in Orlando, Fla., listen to NASA Kennedy Space Center Deputy Director Janet Petro speak on work being done at the center during an education outreach event on Nov. 16 in the school’s Performing Arts Center. Students also had the opportunity to view a FIRST Robotics robot in action and learn about Kennedy’s Educate to Innovate (KETI) LEGO Mindstorm activities. Photo credit: NASA/Gianni Woods

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- -- NASA Kennedy Space Center Deputy Director Janet Petro addresses pre-calculus, engineering and physics students at Timber Creek High School, in Orlando, Fla., on work being done at the center during an education outreach event on Nov. 16. Students also had the opportunity to view a FIRST Robotics robot in action, and learn about Kennedy’s Educate to Innovate (KETI) LEGO Mindstorm activities in the school’s Performing Arts Center. Photo credit: NASA/Gianni Woods

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- -- Pre-calculus, engineering, and physics students at Timber Creek High School in Orlando, Fla., had the opportunity to view a FIRST robotics robot demonstration during an education outreach event on Nov. 16 in the school’s Performing Arts Center. Students, heard from NASA Kennedy Space Center Deputy Director Janet Petro about work being done at the center, and also learned about Kennedy’s Educate to Innovate (KETI) LEGO Mindstorm activities. Photo credit: NASA/Gianni Woods

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- -- NASA Kennedy Space Center Deputy Director Janet Petro addresses pre-calculus, engineering and physics students at Timber Creek High School, in Orlando, Fla., on work being done at the center during an education outreach event on Nov. 16. Students also had the opportunity to view a FIRST Robotics robot in action, and learn about Kennedy’s Educate to Innovate (KETI) LEGO Mindstorm activities in the school’s Performing Arts Center. Photo credit: NASA/Gianni Woods

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Associate Director for Business Operations Kelvin Manning speaks to students from Brevard County Schools in the Headquarters Building fourth floor conference room during the Brevard Top Scholars event hosted by the Education Office. The event was held to honor the top two scholars of the 2012 graduating student class from each of Brevard County’s public high schools. The students toured Launch Complex 39 and the orbiter processing facility, heard from speakers on a variety of topics and received a personalized certificate during their day at Kennedy Space Center. Photo credit: NASA/Frankie Martin

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, students from Brevard County Schools gather in the Headquarters Building fourth floor conference room for a presentation about the past, present and future of space exploration during the Brevard Top Scholars event hosted by the Education Office. The event was held to honor the top two scholars of the 2012 graduating student class from each of Brevard County’s public high schools. The students toured Launch Complex 39 and the orbiter processing facility, heard from speakers on a variety of topics and received a personalized certificate during their day at Kennedy Space Center. Photo credit: NASA/Frankie Martin

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, students from Brevard County Schools gather outside the Headquarters Building for a group photograph after a presentation about the past, present and future of space exploration during the Brevard Top Scholars event hosted by the Education Office. The event was held to honor the top two scholars of the 2012 graduating student class from each of Brevard County’s public high schools. The students toured Launch Complex 39 and the orbiter processing facility, heard from speakers on a variety of topics and received a personalized certificate during their day at Kennedy Space Center. Photo credit: NASA/Frankie Martin

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Students present their investigation project to their peers, scientists, engineers and education specialists during the NASA Explorer Schools Symposium at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. About 60 fourth- through 12-grade students from across the nation are at the center May 4-7 participating in tours of processing and launch facilities and the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame, as well as several educational activities and a career panel question-and-answer session. About 30 teachers will receive professional development opportunities during the symposium. The participants were competitively selected after they completed an original investigation focused on existing NASA missions or research interests. Photo Credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Students present their investigation project to their peers, scientists, engineers and education specialists during the NASA Explorer Schools Symposium at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. About 60 fourth- through 12-grade students from across the nation are at the center May 4-7 participating in tours of processing and launch facilities and the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame, as well as several educational activities and a career panel question-and-answer session. About 30 teachers will receive professional development opportunities during the symposium. The participants were competitively selected after they completed an original investigation focused on existing NASA missions or research interests. Photo Credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Students present their investigation project to their peers, scientists, engineers and education specialists during the NASA Explorer Schools Symposium at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. About 60 fourth- through 12-grade students from across the nation are at the center May 4-7 participating in tours of processing and launch facilities and the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame, as well as several educational activities and a career panel question-and-answer session. About 30 teachers will receive professional development opportunities during the symposium. The participants were competitively selected after they completed an original investigation focused on existing NASA missions or research interests. Photo Credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Students present their investigation project to their peers, scientists, engineers and education specialists during the NASA Explorer Schools Symposium at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. About 60 fourth- through 12-grade students from across the nation are at the center May 4-7 participating in tours of processing and launch facilities and the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame, as well as several educational activities and a career panel question-and-answer session. About 30 teachers will receive professional development opportunities during the symposium. The participants were competitively selected after they completed an original investigation focused on existing NASA missions or research interests. Photo Credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Students present their investigation project to their peers, scientists, engineers and education specialists during the NASA Explorer Schools Symposium at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. About 60 fourth- through 12-grade students from across the nation are at the center May 4-7 participating in tours of processing and launch facilities and the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame, as well as several educational activities and a career panel question-and-answer session. About 30 teachers will receive professional development opportunities during the symposium. The participants were competitively selected after they completed an original investigation focused on existing NASA missions or research interests. Photo Credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Students present their investigation project to their peers, scientists, engineers and education specialists during the NASA Explorer Schools Symposium at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. About 60 fourth- through 12-grade students from across the nation are at the center May 4-7 participating in tours of processing and launch facilities and the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame, as well as several educational activities and a career panel question-and-answer session. About 30 teachers will receive professional development opportunities during the symposium. The participants were competitively selected after they completed an original investigation focused on existing NASA missions or research interests. Photo Credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Students present their investigation project to their peers, scientists, engineers and education specialists during the NASA Explorer Schools Symposium at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. About 60 fourth- through 12-grade students from across the nation are at the center May 4-7 participating in tours of processing and launch facilities and the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame, as well as several educational activities and a career panel question-and-answer session. About 30 teachers will receive professional development opportunities during the symposium. The participants were competitively selected after they completed an original investigation focused on existing NASA missions or research interests. Photo Credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, students from Brevard County Schools gather in the Headquarters Building fourth floor conference room for a presentation about the past, present and future of space exploration by the Director of Safety and Mission Assurance Russell Romanella, during the Brevard Top Scholars event hosted by the Education Office. The event was held to honor the top two scholars of the 2012 graduating student class from each of Brevard County’s public high schools. The students toured Launch Complex 39 and the orbiter processing facility, heard from speakers on a variety of topics and received a personalized certificate during their day at Kennedy Space Center. Photo credit: NASA/Frankie Martin

COCOA BEACH, Fla. -- NASA Kennedy Space Center Director Bob Cabana encourages fourth- through 12-grade students and their teachers from across the nation to "dream big" during the NASA Explorer Schools Symposium in Florida. During the event, May 4-7, about 60 students will tour Kennedy, the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame, and participate in several educational activities and a career panel question-and-answer session. The symposium also offers professional development opportunities for about 30 teachers. The participants were competitively selected after they completed an original investigation focused on existing NASA missions or research interests. Photo Credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Brevard County sixth-graders participate in the eighth annual Space Week at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida. Here, Herbert Yamada, an engineer with Lockheed Martin, teaches students about NASA's space shuttle. About 5,000 students will participate throughout the 11-day event, which contains fun space exploration activities designed to emphasize the importance of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Space Week is sponsored by NASA Education, Brevard Public Schools, Delaware North Companies Parks and Resorts, and the Florida Chapter of the National Space Club. Photo Credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- A student investigation project is on display during the NASA Explorer Schools Symposium at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. About 60 fourth- through 12-grade students from across the nation are at the center May 4-7 participating in tours of processing and launch facilities and the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame, as well as several educational activities and a career panel question-and-answer session. About 30 teachers will receive professional development opportunities during the symposium. The participants were competitively selected after they completed an original investigation focused on existing NASA missions or research interests. Photo Credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Brevard County sixth-graders participate in the eighth annual Space Week at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida. Seen behind the students is a mock-up of NASA's Orion crew exploration vehicle, which was built by Guard-Lee Inc. of Apopka, Fla. About 5,000 students will participate throughout the 11-day event, which contains fun space exploration activities designed to emphasize the importance of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Space Week is sponsored by NASA Education, Brevard Public Schools, Delaware North Companies Parks and Resorts, and the Florida Chapter of the National Space Club. Photo Credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Brevard County sixth-graders participate in the eighth annual Space Week at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida. Here, the students learn about launching to Earth's orbit from former NASA astronaut Mark Lee, a veteran of four space shuttle missions. About 5,000 students will participate throughout the 11-day event, which contains fun space exploration activities designed to emphasize the importance of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Space Week is sponsored by NASA Education, Brevard Public Schools, Delaware North Companies Parks and Resorts, and the Florida Chapter of the National Space Club. Photo Credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- During the NASA Explorer Schools Symposium at Kennedy Space Center in Florida, students and teachers tour the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame. About 60 fourth- through 12-grade students from across the nation are at the center May 4-7 participating in tours of processing and launch facilities, as well as several educational activities and a career panel question-and-answer session. About 30 teachers will receive professional development opportunities during the symposium. The participants were competitively selected after they completed an original investigation focused on existing NASA missions or research interests. Photo Credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- During the NASA Explorer Schools Symposium at Kennedy Space Center in Florida, students and teachers check out the Science on a Sphere system at the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame. About 60 fourth- through 12-grade students from across the nation are at the center May 4-7 participating in tours of processing and launch facilities, as well as several educational activities and a career panel question-and-answer session. About 30 teachers will receive professional development opportunities during the symposium. The participants were competitively selected after they completed an original investigation focused on existing NASA missions or research interests. Photo Credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- During the NASA Explorer Schools Symposium at Kennedy Space Center in Florida, students and teachers tour the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame. About 60 fourth- through 12-grade students from across the nation are at the center May 4-7 participating in tours of processing and launch facilities, as well as several educational activities and a career panel question-and-answer session. About 30 teachers will receive professional development opportunities during the symposium. The participants were competitively selected after they completed an original investigation focused on existing NASA missions or research interests. Photo Credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- During the NASA Explorer Schools Symposium at Kennedy Space Center in Florida, students and teachers tour the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame. About 60 fourth- through 12-grade students from across the nation are at the center May 4-7 participating in tours of processing and launch facilities, as well as several educational activities and a career panel question-and-answer session. About 30 teachers will receive professional development opportunities during the symposium. The participants were competitively selected after they completed an original investigation focused on existing NASA missions or research interests. Photo Credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Brevard County sixth-graders participate in the eighth annual Space Week at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida. Here, the students climb into a Mercury capsule in the complex's Rocket Garden. About 5,000 students will participate throughout the 11-day event, which contains fun space exploration activities designed to emphasize the importance of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Space Week is sponsored by NASA Education, Brevard Public Schools, Delaware North Companies Parks and Resorts, and the Florida Chapter of the National Space Club. Photo Credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

COCOA BEACH, Fla. -- NASA Kennedy Space Center Director Bob Cabana encourages fourth- through 12-grade students and their teachers from across the nation to "dream big" during the NASA Explorer Schools Symposium in Florida. During the event, May 4-7, about 60 students will tour Kennedy, the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame, and participate in several educational activities and a career panel question-and-answer session. The symposium also offers professional development opportunities for about 30 teachers. The participants were competitively selected after they completed an original investigation focused on existing NASA missions or research interests. Photo Credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

COCOA BEACH, Fla. -- A cake encourages fourth- through 12-grade students and their teachers from across the nation to "dream big" during the NASA Explorer Schools Symposium in Florida. During the event, May 4-7, about 60 students will tour NASA's Kennedy Space Center, the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame, and participate in several educational activities and a career panel question-and-answer session. The symposium also offers professional development opportunities for about 30 teachers. The participants were competitively selected after they completed an original investigation focused on existing NASA missions or research interests. Photo Credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

COCOA BEACH, Fla. -- NASA Kennedy Space Center Director Bob Cabana talks to fourth- through 12-grade students and their teachers from across the nation during the NASA Explorer Schools Symposium in Florida. During the event, May 4-7, about 60 students will tour Kennedy, the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame, and participate in several educational activities and a career panel question-and-answer session. The symposium also offers professional development opportunities for about 30 teachers. The participants were competitively selected after they completed an original investigation focused on existing NASA missions or research interests. Photo Credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Brevard County sixth-graders participate in the eighth annual Space Week at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida. Here, Herbert Yamada, an engineer with Lockheed Martin, uses fun props to teach students about NASA. About 5,000 students will participate throughout the 11-day event, which contains fun space exploration activities designed to emphasize the importance of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Space Week is sponsored by NASA Education, Brevard Public Schools, Delaware North Companies Parks and Resorts, and the Florida Chapter of the National Space Club. Photo Credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Brevard County sixth-graders participate in the eighth annual Space Week at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida. Here, the students wait to take a ride on the Shuttle Launch Experience, which mimics the sights, sounds and sensations of a real space shuttle launch. About 5,000 students will participate throughout the 11-day event, which contains fun space exploration activities designed to emphasize the importance of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Space Week is sponsored by NASA Education, Brevard Public Schools, Delaware North Companies Parks and Resorts, and the Florida Chapter of the National Space Club. Photo Credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

COCOA BEACH, Fla. -- NASA Kennedy Space Center Director Bob Cabana encourages fourth- through 12-grade students and their teachers from across the nation to "dream big" during the NASA Explorer Schools Symposium in Florida. During the event, May 4-7, about 60 students will tour Kennedy, the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame, and participate in several educational activities and a career panel question-and-answer session. The symposium also offers professional development opportunities for about 30 teachers. The participants were competitively selected after they completed an original investigation focused on existing NASA missions or research interests. Photo Credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

NASA Associate Administrator for Education Leland Melvin speaks with 7-year-old Ben at the beginning of a presentation to Mississippi 4-H students at John C. Stennis Space Center on July 30, 2012. Melvin predicted Ben could be a future astronaut, urging students to discover and prepare to make their dreams into reality as well.

NASA Associate Administrator for Education Leland Melvin speaks with 7-year-old Ben at the beginning of a presentation to Mississippi 4-H students at John C. Stennis Space Center on July 30, 2012. Melvin predicted Ben could be a future astronaut, urging students to discover and prepare to make their dreams into reality as well.

Students from Brevard County public high schools arrive at the NASA Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida. Top scholars from the high schools were invited to Kennedy Space Center for a tour of facilities, lunch and a roundtable discussion with engineers and scientists at the center. The 2017-2018 Brevard Top Scholars event was hosted by the center's Education Projects and Youth Engagement office to honor the top three scholars of the graduating student class from each of Brevard County’s public high schools. The students received a personalized certificate at the end of the day.

Retired NASA astronaut Tom Jones talks to high school students during "Lunch with an Astronaut" at the NASA Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida. Top scholars from Brevard County public high schools were invited to Kennedy Space Center for a tour of facilities, lunch and a roundtable discussion with engineers and scientists at the center. The 2017-2018 Brevard Top Scholars event was hosted by the center's Education Projects and Youth Engagement office to honor the top three scholars of the 2017-2018 graduating student class from each of Brevard County’s public high schools. The students received a personalized certificate at the end of the day.

An unidentified student speaks with astronauts aboard the Internatiional Space Station (ISS) via downlink during an event at the U.S. Department of Education, Thursday, Nov. 5, 2009, in Washington. NASA Administrator Charles Bolden and Secretary of Education Arne Duncan hosted Washington area middle and high school students Thursday for a live discussion with astronauts aboard the International Space Station. The event was part of the 10th annual celebration of International Education Week. Photo Credit: (NASA/Paul E. Alers)

Students speak with astronauts on the International Space Station (ISS) via downlink during an event at the U.S. Department of Education, Thursday, Nov. 5, 2009, in Washington. NASA Administrator Charles Bolden and Secretary of Education Arne Duncan hosted Washington area middle and high school students Thursday for a live discussion with astronauts aboard the International Space Station. The event was part of the 10th annual celebration of International Education Week. Photo Credit: (NASA/Paul E. Alers)

Students speak with astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) via downlink during an event at the U.S. Department of Education, Thursday, Nov. 5, 2009, in Washington. NASA Administrator Charles Bolden and Secretary of Education Arne Duncan hosted Washington area middle and high school students Thursday for a live discussion with astronauts aboard the International Space Station. The event was part of the 10th annual celebration of International Education Week. Photo Credit: (NASA/Paul E. Alers)

JSC2004E14751 --- Students interface with NASA via the Digital Learning Network. A classroom representative can directly communicate audibly and visibly with the NASA Education Specialist.

Top scholars from Brevard County public high schools participate in roundtable discussions with NASA engineers and scientists at the Public Engagement Center at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida. Top scholars from the high schools were invited to Kennedy Space Center for a tour of facilities, lunch and a roundtable discussion. The 2017-2018 Brevard Top Scholars event was hosted by the center's Education Projects and Youth Engagement office to honor the top three scholars of the graduating student class from each of Brevard County’s public high schools. The students received a personalized certificate at the end of the day.

Retired NASA astronaut Tom Jones is with top scholars from Brevard County public high schools in the Rocket Garden at the NASA Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida. Top scholars from the high schools were invited to Kennedy Space Center for a tour of facilities, lunch and a roundtable discussion with engineers and scientists at the center. The 2017-2018 Brevard Top Scholars event was hosted by the center's Education Projects and Youth Engagement office to honor the top three scholars of the 2017-2018 graduating student class from each of Brevard County’s public high schools. They students received a personalized certificate at the end of the day.

Jose Nunez, third from left, chief of the Flight Technologies Branch at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, talks with students from Brevard County public high schools during a roundtable discussion at the Public Engagement Center at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Top scholars from the high schools were invited to Kennedy Space Center for a tour of facilities, lunch and a roundtable discussion with engineers and scientists at the center. The 2017-2018 Brevard Top Scholars event was hosted by the center's Education Projects and Youth Engagement office to honor the top three scholars of the graduating student class from each of Brevard County’s public high schools. The students received a personalized certificate at the end of the day.

A group of DC area students and staff pose for a group photo at the conclusion of the Space Education Day, Tuesday, June 20, 2023, at the Microsoft Technology Center in Arlington, Va. Microsoft hosted the event to showcase the collaboration, early successes, and future plans for high quality student engagement through activities that combined space content and technologies like artificial intelligence and cloud computing. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

College students present their findings after a hackathon during Space Education Day, Tuesday, June 20, 2023, at the Microsoft Technology Center in Arlington, Va. Microsoft hosted the event to showcase the collaboration, early successes, and future plans for high quality student engagement through activities that combined space content and technologies like artificial intelligence and cloud computing. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

College students present their findings after a hackathon during Space Education Day, Tuesday, June 20, 2023, at the Microsoft Technology Center in Arlington, Va. Microsoft hosted the event to showcase the collaboration, early successes, and future plans for high quality student engagement through activities that combined space content and technologies like artificial intelligence and cloud computing. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

College students present their findings after a hackathon during Space Education Day, Tuesday, June 20, 2023, at the Microsoft Technology Center in Arlington, Va. Microsoft hosted the event to showcase the collaboration, early successes, and future plans for high quality student engagement through activities that combined space content and technologies like artificial intelligence and cloud computing. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

College students present their findings after a hackathon during Space Education Day, Tuesday, June 20, 2023, at the Microsoft Technology Center in Arlington, Va. Microsoft hosted the event to showcase the collaboration, early successes, and future plans for high quality student engagement through activities that combined space content and technologies like artificial intelligence and cloud computing. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

College students present their findings after a hackathon during Space Education Day, Tuesday, June 20, 2023, at the Microsoft Technology Center in Arlington, Va. Microsoft hosted the event to showcase the collaboration, early successes, and future plans for high quality student engagement through activities that combined space content and technologies like artificial intelligence and cloud computing. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

NASA Administrator Charles F. Bolden, center, stands with two unidentified students as he performs a demonstration to illustrate how far the International Space Station is from the Earth in comparison with the Moon, during an event where students spoke via downlink to astronauts on the ISS, Thursday, Nov. 5, 2009, at the U.S. Department of Education in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Paul E. Alers)

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- From left, Dr. Steve Lee, with the Denver Museum of Nature and Science; Ulrik Solberg Lund, a LEGO minifigure designer; and Karsten Juel Bunch, a LEGO City senior designer, participate in an educational webcast in the Mission Status Center at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida. On hand to ask questions of the guests were students, teachers, and mentors of the Goldstone Apple Valley Radio Telescope (GAVRT) project who were invited to Kennedy to watch the launch of NASA's Juno spacecraft atop a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket. GAVRT is a partnership between NASA, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), and The Lewis Center for Educational Research (LCER) in Apple Valley, Calif. It allows students to control a 34-meter radio telescope that, until recently, was part of NASA’s Deep Space Network, and to interact with scientists outside the classroom setting. Photo credit: NASA/Glenn Benson

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Dr. Steve Lee, with the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, left, hosts an educational webcast in the Mission Status Center at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida. On hand to ask questions were students, teachers, and mentors of the Goldstone Apple Valley Radio Telescope (GAVRT) project who were invited to Kennedy to watch the launch of NASA's Juno spacecraft atop a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket. GAVRT is a partnership between NASA, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), and The Lewis Center for Educational Research (LCER) in Apple Valley, Calif. It allows students to control a 34-meter radio telescope that, until recently, was part of NASA’s Deep Space Network, and to interact with scientists outside the classroom setting. Photo credit: NASA/Glenn Benson

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- From left, Dr. Steve Lee, with the Denver Museum of Nature and Science; Ulrik Solberg Lund, a LEGO minifigure designer; and Karsten Juel Bunch, a LEGO City senior designer, participate in an educational webcast in the Mission Status Center at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida. On hand to ask questions of the guests were students, teachers, and mentors of the Goldstone Apple Valley Radio Telescope (GAVRT) project who were invited to Kennedy to watch the launch of NASA's Juno spacecraft atop a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket. GAVRT is a partnership between NASA, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), and The Lewis Center for Educational Research (LCER) in Apple Valley, Calif. It allows students to control a 34-meter radio telescope that, until recently, was part of NASA’s Deep Space Network, and to interact with scientists outside the classroom setting. Photo credit: NASA/Glenn Benson

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Students view a demonstration by Dr. James Fesmire inside the cryogenics lab in the Operations and Checkout Building. The 26 honor students in chemistry and biology and their teachers got a chance to visit a number of high-tech labs at Kennedy Space Center as part of an effort to encourage students in the areas of science, technology, engineering and math. The tenth and eleventh grade students from Terry Parker High School in Jacksonville, Fla., visited a number of vastly different labs during their one-day tour. The group's visit to Kennedy was hosted by the Education Office as part of a nationwide effort by the National Lab Network to help introduce the nation's students to science careers. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

Students and their sponsors gather for a commemorative photo in the Center for Space Education at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida after participating in the finals of the Zero Robotics Middle School Summer Program national championship. The five-week program allows rising sixth- through ninth-graders to write programs for small satellites called SPHERES (Synchronized, Position, Hold, Engage, Reorient, Experimental Satellites). Finalists saw their code tested aboard the International Space Station.

NASA Kennedy Space Center Associate Director Kelvin Manning speaks to students and sponsors in the spaceport’s Center for Space Education. Teams from across the state of Florida were gathered at Kennedy for the finals of the Zero Robotics Middle School Summer Program national championship. The five-week program allows rising sixth- through ninth-graders to write programs for small satellites called SPHERES (Synchronized, Position, Hold, Engage, Reorient, Experimental Satellites). Finalists saw their code tested aboard the International Space Station.

A programmable off-the-shelf Sphero robot is shown on a Mars mat at the Center for Space Education at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The Spheros were available for students to practice their programming skills by navigating the robots around a challenge course on the mat. Students used the mat and Sphero robots during "loss of signal" times when the connection to the International Space Station was temporarily unavailable. Teams from across the state of Florida were gathered at Kennedy for the finals of the Zero Robotics Middle School Summer Program national championship. The five-week program allows rising sixth- through ninth-graders to write programs for small satellites called SPHERES (Synchronized, Position, Hold, Engage, Reorient, Experimental Satellites). Finalists saw their code tested aboard the orbiting laboratory.

DC area students participate in a Minecraft Artemis demonstration during Space Education Day, Tuesday, June 20, 2023, at the Microsoft Technology Center in Arlington, Va. Microsoft hosted the event to showcase the collaboration, early successes, and future plans for high quality student engagement through activities that combined space content and technologies like artificial intelligence and cloud computing. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

DC area students participate in a Minecraft Artemis demonstration during Space Education Day, Tuesday, June 20, 2023, at the Microsoft Technology Center in Arlington, Va. Microsoft hosted the event to showcase the collaboration, early successes, and future plans for high quality student engagement through activities that combined space content and technologies like artificial intelligence and cloud computing. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

DC area students participate in a Minecraft Artemis demonstration during Space Education Day, Tuesday, June 20, 2023, at the Microsoft Technology Center in Arlington, Va. Microsoft hosted the event to showcase the collaboration, early successes, and future plans for high quality student engagement through activities that combined space content and technologies like artificial intelligence and cloud computing. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

DC area students participate in a Minecraft Artemis demonstration during Space Education Day, Tuesday, June 20, 2023, at the Microsoft Technology Center in Arlington, Va. Microsoft hosted the event to showcase the collaboration, early successes, and future plans for high quality student engagement through activities that combined space content and technologies like artificial intelligence and cloud computing. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

DC area students participate in a Minecraft Artemis demonstration during Space Education Day, Tuesday, June 20, 2023, at the Microsoft Technology Center in Arlington, Va. Microsoft hosted the event to showcase the collaboration, early successes, and future plans for high quality student engagement through activities that combined space content and technologies like artificial intelligence and cloud computing. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

DC area students participate in a Minecraft Artemis demonstration during Space Education Day, Tuesday, June 20, 2023, at the Microsoft Technology Center in Arlington, Va. Microsoft hosted the event to showcase the collaboration, early successes, and future plans for high quality student engagement through activities that combined space content and technologies like artificial intelligence and cloud computing. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

DC area students participate in a Minecraft Artemis demonstration during Space Education Day, Tuesday, June 20, 2023, at the Microsoft Technology Center in Arlington, Va. Microsoft hosted the event to showcase the collaboration, early successes, and future plans for high quality student engagement through activities that combined space content and technologies like artificial intelligence and cloud computing. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

DC area students participate in a Minecraft Artemis demonstration during Space Education Day, Tuesday, June 20, 2023, at the Microsoft Technology Center in Arlington, Va. Microsoft hosted the event to showcase the collaboration, early successes, and future plans for high quality student engagement through activities that combined space content and technologies like artificial intelligence and cloud computing. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Dr. Ray Wheeler explains a plant growth chamber to students in the Life Support and Habitation Systems Lab at the Space Life Sciences Lab facility. The 26 honor students in chemistry and biology and their teachers got a chance to visit a number of high-tech labs at Kennedy Space Center as part of an effort to encourage students in the areas of science, technology, engineering and math. The tenth and eleventh grade students from Terry Parker High School in Jacksonville, Fla., visited a number of vastly different labs during their one-day tour. The group's visit to Kennedy was hosted by the Education Office as part of a nationwide effort by the National Lab Network to help introduce the nation's students to science careers. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Dr. LaNetra C. Tate, center, materials engineer at Kennedy Space Center, is surrounded by students as she welcomes them for their tour of the Space Life Sciences Lab facilities. The 26 honor students in chemistry and biology and their teachers got a chance to visit a number of high-tech labs at Kennedy as part of an effort to encourage students in the areas of science, technology, engineering and math. The tenth and eleventh grade students from Terry Parker High School in Jacksonville, Fla., visited a number of vastly different labs during their one-day tour. The group's visit to Kennedy was hosted by the Education Office as part of a nationwide effort by the National Lab Network to help introduce the nation's students to science careers. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Inside the Operations and Checkout Building, Rudy Werlink gives students a first-hand look at the workings of the sound testing area of cryogenics lab. The 26 honor students in chemistry and biology and their teachers got a chance to visit a number of high-tech labs at Kennedy Space Center as part of an effort to encourage students in the areas of science, technology, engineering and math. The tenth and eleventh grade students from Terry Parker High School in Jacksonville, Fla., visited a number of vastly different labs during their one-day tour. The group's visit to Kennedy was hosted by the Education Office as part of a nationwide effort by the National Lab Network to help introduce the nation's students to science careers. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Dr. Phil Metzger demonstrates an experiment to study the physics of granular materials to students in the Granular Physics and Regolith Operations Lab at the Space Life Sciences Lab facility. The 26 honor students in chemistry and biology and their teachers got a chance to visit a number of high-tech labs at Kennedy Space Center as part of an effort to encourage students in the areas of science, technology, engineering and math. The tenth and eleventh grade students from Terry Parker High School in Jacksonville, Fla., visited a number of vastly different labs during their one-day tour. The group's visit to Kennedy was hosted by the Education Office as part of a nationwide effort by the National Lab Network to help introduce the nation's students to science careers. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Dr. Ray Wheeler explains a system for growing salad crops in space to students in the Life Support and Habitation Systems Lab at the Space Life Sciences Lab facility. The 26 honor students in chemistry and biology and their teachers got a chance to visit a number of high-tech labs at Kennedy Space Center as part of an effort to encourage students in the areas of science, technology, engineering and math. The tenth and eleventh grade students from Terry Parker High School in Jacksonville, Fla., visited a number of vastly different labs during their one-day tour. The group's visit to Kennedy was hosted by the Education Office as part of a nationwide effort by the National Lab Network to help introduce the nation's students to science careers. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Students and their teachers get some hands-on experience inside the applied physics lab in the Operations and Checkout Building. The 26 honor students in chemistry and biology and their teachers got a chance to visit a number of high-tech labs at Kennedy Space Center as part of an effort to encourage students in the areas of science, technology, engineering and math. The tenth and eleventh grade students from Terry Parker High School in Jacksonville, Fla., visited a number of vastly different labs during their one-day tour. The group's visit to Kennedy was hosted by the Education Office as part of a nationwide effort by the National Lab Network to help introduce the nation's students to science careers. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Outside the Operations and Checkout Building, Rudy Werlink gives students a first-hand look at the workings of the cryogenics lab. The 26 honor students in chemistry and biology and their teachers got a chance to visit a number of high-tech labs at Kennedy Space Center as part of an effort to encourage students in the areas of science, technology, engineering and math. The tenth and eleventh grade students from Terry Parker High School in Jacksonville, Fla., visited a number of vastly different labs during their one-day tour. The group's visit to Kennedy was hosted by the Education Office as part of a nationwide effort by the National Lab Network to help introduce the nation's students to science careers. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Dr. Ray Wheeler explains a system for growing salad crops in space to students in the Life Support and Habitation Systems Lab at the Space Life Sciences Lab facility. The 26 honor students in chemistry and biology and their teachers got a chance to visit a number of high-tech labs at Kennedy Space Center as part of an effort to encourage students in the areas of science, technology, engineering and math. The tenth and eleventh grade students from Terry Parker High School in Jacksonville, Fla., visited a number of vastly different labs during their one-day tour. The group's visit to Kennedy was hosted by the Education Office as part of a nationwide effort by the National Lab Network to help introduce the nation's students to science careers. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Inside the Operations and Checkout Building, Rudy Werlink gives students a first-hand look at the workings of the sound testing area of cryogenics lab. The 26 honor students in chemistry and biology and their teachers got a chance to visit a number of high-tech labs at Kennedy Space Center as part of an effort to encourage students in the areas of science, technology, engineering and math. The tenth and eleventh grade students from Terry Parker High School in Jacksonville, Fla., visited a number of vastly different labs during their one-day tour. The group's visit to Kennedy was hosted by the Education Office as part of a nationwide effort by the National Lab Network to help introduce the nation's students to science careers. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

Darth Vader and other Star Wars characters from the 501st Legion address students and sponsors in the Center for Space Education at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Teams from across the state of Florida were gathered at Kennedy for the finals of the Zero Robotics Middle School Summer Program national championship. The five-week program allows rising sixth- through ninth-graders to write programs for small satellites called SPHERES (Synchronized, Position, Hold, Engage, Reorient, Experimental Satellites). Finalists saw their code tested aboard the International Space Station.

NASA Kennedy Space Center's Trent Smith conducts a quantum levitation demonstration, using liquid nitrogen, metal and a magnetic track, for students and their sponsors in the Center for Space Education at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Teams from across the state of Florida were gathered at Kennedy for the finals of the Zero Robotics Middle School Summer Program national championship. The five-week program allows rising sixth- through ninth-graders to write programs for small satellites called SPHERES (Synchronized, Position, Hold, Engage, Reorient, Experimental Satellites). Finalists saw their code tested aboard the International Space Station.

A trio of programmable off-the-shelf Sphero robots are shown at the Center for Space Education at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The Spheros were available for students to practice their programming skills during "loss of signal" times when the connection to the International Space Station was temporarily unavailable. Teams from across the state of Florida were gathered at Kennedy for the finals of the Zero Robotics Middle School Summer Program national championship. The five-week program allows rising sixth- through ninth-graders to write programs for small satellites called SPHERES (Synchronized, Position, Hold, Engage, Reorient, Experimental Satellites). Finalists saw their code tested aboard the orbiting laboratory.

NASA Kennedy Space Center's Trent Smith conducts a quantum levitation demonstration, using liquid nitrogen, metal and a magnetic track, for students and their sponsors in the Center for Space Education at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Teams from across the state of Florida were gathered at Kennedy for the finals of the Zero Robotics Middle School Summer Program national championship. The five-week program allows rising sixth- through ninth-graders to write programs for small satellites called SPHERES (Synchronized, Position, Hold, Engage, Reorient, Experimental Satellites). Finalists saw their code tested aboard the International Space Station.

Students and sponsors hear from astronauts aboard the International Space Station on a big screen in the Center for Space Education at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Teams from across the state of Florida were gathered at Kennedy for the finals of the Zero Robotics Middle School Summer Program national championship. The five-week program allows rising sixth- through ninth-graders to write programs for small satellites called SPHERES (Synchronized, Position, Hold, Engage, Reorient, Experimental Satellites). Finalists saw their code tested aboard the orbiting laboratory.

A middle-school student high-fives a Star Wars character from the 501st Legion in the Center for Space Education at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Teams from across the state of Florida were gathered at Kennedy for the finals of the Zero Robotics Middle School Summer Program national championship. The five-week program allows rising sixth- through ninth-graders to write programs for small satellites called SPHERES (Synchronized, Position, Hold, Engage, Reorient, Experimental Satellites). Finalists saw their code tested aboard the International Space Station.

NASA Kennedy Space Center's Trent Smith conducts a quantum levitation demonstration, using liquid nitrogen, metal and a magnetic track, for students and their sponsors in the Center for Space Education at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Teams from across the state of Florida were gathered at Kennedy for the finals of the Zero Robotics Middle School Summer Program national championship. The five-week program allows rising sixth- through ninth-graders to write programs for small satellites called SPHERES (Synchronized, Position, Hold, Engage, Reorient, Experimental Satellites). Finalists saw their code tested aboard the International Space Station.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Inside the Applied Physics Laboratory in the Operations and Checkout Building at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, lead researcher Dr. Bob Youngquist demonstrates a technology developed for the Space Shuttle Program to a group of Society of Physics students. About 800 graduate and undergraduate physics students toured Kennedy facilities. A group of about 40 students toured laboratories in the Operations and Checkout Building and the EDL during their visit. The physics students were in Orlando for the 2012 Quadrennial Physics Congress. Photo credit: NASA/Cory Huston

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In a support building near NASA Kennedy Space Center’s Shuttle Landing Facility, or SLF, in Florida, Center Director Bob Cabana speaks to students and their flight instructors from Florida Tech, or FIT, in Melbourne. The group arrived at the SLF in Cherokee Warrior and Cessna 172S lightweight aircraft.. The middle and high school students are participating in FIT’s Av/Aero summer camp experience. They and their flight instructors toured the SLF midfield control tower, viewed F104 Starfighters and NASA Huey helicopters in the RLV Hangar, viewed the runway plaques marking wheels stop for each of the three space shuttles, and toured the Vehicle Assembly Building where space shuttle Atlantis currently is stored. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In a support building near NASA Kennedy Space Center’s Shuttle Landing Facility, or SLF, in Florida, Center Director Bob Cabana speaks to students and their flight instructors from Florida Tech, or FIT, in Melbourne. The group arrived at the SLF in Cherokee Warrior and Cessna 172S lightweight aircraft. The middle and high school students are participating in FIT’s Av/Aero summer camp experience. They and their flight instructors toured the SLF midfield control tower, viewed F104 Starfighters and NASA Huey helicopters in the RLV Hangar, viewed the runway plaques marking wheels stop for each of the three space shuttles, and toured the Vehicle Assembly Building where space shuttle Atlantis currently is stored. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At NASA Kennedy Space Center’s Shuttle Landing Facility, or SLF, in Florida, NASA Aviation Safety Officer Joe Torsani, at left, speaks with students and their flight instructors after they arrived in Cherokee Warrior and Cessna 172S lightweight aircraft from Florida Tech, FIT, in Melbourne. The middle and high school students are participating in FIT’s Av/Aero summer camp experience. They and their flight instructors toured the SLF midfield control tower, viewed F104 Starfighters and NASA Huey helicopters in the RLV Hangar, viewed the runway plaques marking wheels stop for each of the three space shuttles, and toured the Vehicle Assembly Building where space shuttle Atlantis currently is stored. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- – Inside a laboratory in the Engineering Development Laboratory, or EDL, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, research scientist Michael Johansen, in the blue polo shirt, describes dust mitigation technology to a group of Society of Physics students. About 800 graduate and undergraduate physics students toured Kennedy facilities. A group of about 40 students toured laboratories in the Operations and Checkout Building and the EDL during their visit. The physics students were in Orlando for the 2012 Quadrennial Physics Congress. Photo credit: NASA/Cory Huston

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At NASA Kennedy Space Center’s Shuttle Landing Facility, or SLF, in Florida, a flight instructor and his students inspect the lightweight aircraft they flew in earlier in the day from Florida Tech, or FIT, in Melbourne. Several instructors and their students arrived at the SLF in Cherokee Warrior and Cessna 172S lightweight aircraft. The middle and high school students are participating in FIT’s Av/Aero summer camp experience. They and their flight instructors toured the SLF midfield control tower, viewed F104 Starfighters and NASA Huey helicopters in the RLV Hangar, viewed the runway plaques marking wheels stop for each of the three space shuttles, and toured the Vehicle Assembly Building where space shuttle Atlantis currently is stored. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At NASA Kennedy Space Center’s Shuttle Landing Facility, or SLF, in Florida, NASA Aviation Safety Officer Joe Torsani walks with students and their flight instructors after they arrived in Cherokee Warrior and Cessna 172S lightweight aircraft from Florida Tech, or FIT, in Melbourne. The middle and high school students are participating in FIT’s Av_Aero summer camp experience. They and their flight instructors toured the SLF midfield control tower, viewed F104 Starfighters and NASA Huey helicopters in the RLV Hangar, viewed the runway plaques marking wheels stop for each of the three space shuttles, and toured the Vehicle Assembly Building where space shuttle Atlantis currently is stored. Photo credit: NASA_Kim Shiflett

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Inside the RLV Hangar near NASA Kennedy Space Center’s Shuttle Landing Facility, or SLF, in Florida, students and their flight instructors from Florida Tech, FIT, in Melbourne view F104 Starfighter aircraft and hear a presentation from Starfighter Director Rick Svetkoff. The group arrived at the SLF in Cherokee Warrior and Cessna 172S lightweight aircraft. The middle and high school students are participating in FIT’s Av/Aero summer camp experience. They and their flight instructors toured the SLF midfield control tower, viewed F104 Starfighters and NASA Huey helicopters in the RLV Hangar, viewed the runway plaques marking wheels stop for each of the three space shuttles, and toured the Vehicle Assembly Building where space shuttle Atlantis currently is stored. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At NASA Kennedy Space Center in Florida, flight instructors and their students from Florida Tech, or FIT, in Melbourne prepare to depart the Shuttle Landing Facility, or SLF, in Cherokee Warrior and Cessna 172S lightweight aircraft. The middle and high school students are participating in FIT’s Av/Aero summer camp experience. They and their flight instructors toured the SLF midfield control tower, viewed F104 Starfighters and NASA Huey helicopters in the RLV Hangar, viewed the runway plaques marking wheels stop for each of the three space shuttles, and toured the Vehicle Assembly Building where space shuttle Atlantis currently is stored. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Students and their flight instructors from Florida Tech, or FIT, in Melbourne, tour the Vehicle Assembly Building and view space shuttle Atlantis at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The instructors and their students arrived at the Shuttle Landing Facility, or SLF, in Cherokee Warrior and Cessna 172S lightweight aircraft. The middle and high school students are participating in FIT’s Av/Aero summer camp experience. They and their flight instructors also toured the SLF midfield control tower, viewed F104 Starfighters and NASA Huey helicopters in the RLV Hangar, and viewed the runway plaques marking wheels stop for each of the three space shuttles. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Students and their flight instructors arrive at NASA Kennedy Space Center’s Shuttle Landing Facility, or SLF, in Florida in Cherokee Warrior and Cessna 172S lightweight aircraft from Florida Tech, or FIT, in Melbourne. The middle and high school students are participating in FIT’s Av/Aero summer camp experience. They and their flight instructors toured the SLF midfield control tower, viewed F104 Starfighters and NASA Huey helicopters in the RLV Hangar, viewed the runway plaques marking wheels stop for each of the three space shuttles, and toured the Vehicle Assembly Building where space shuttle Atlantis currently is stored. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Inside a laboratory in the Engineering Development Laboratory, or EDL, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, research physicist Phil Metzger describes lunar excavators and soil processing technologies to a group of Society of Physics students. About 800 graduate and undergraduate physics students toured Kennedy facilities. A group of about 40 students toured laboratories in the Operations and Checkout Building and the EDL during their visit. The physics students were in Orlando for the 2012 Quadrennial Physics Congress. Photo credit: NASA/Cory Huston

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At NASA Kennedy Space Center’s Shuttle Landing Facility, or SLF, in Florida, a flight instructor and his students inspect the lightweight aircraft they flew in earlier in the day from Florida Tech, or FIT, in Melbourne. Several instructors and their students arrived at the SLF in Cherokee Warrior and Cessna 172S lightweight aircraft. The middle and high school students are participating in FIT’s Av/Aero summer camp experience. They and their flight instructors toured the SLF midfield control tower, viewed F104 Starfighters and NASA Huey helicopters in the RLV Hangar, viewed the runway plaques marking wheels stop for each of the three space shuttles, and toured the Vehicle Assembly Building where space shuttle Atlantis currently is stored. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Inside a laboratory in the Engineering Development Laboratory, or EDL, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, research scientist Michael Hogue, in the green plaid shirt, describes several technologies to a group of Society of Physics students. About 800 graduate and undergraduate physics students toured Kennedy facilities. A group of about 40 students toured laboratories in the Operations and Checkout Building and the EDL during their visit. The physics students were in Orlando for the 2012 Quadrennial Physics Congress. Photo credit: NASA/Cory Huston

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At NASA Kennedy Space Center’s Shuttle Landing Facility, or SLF, in Florida, NASA Aviation Safety Officer Joe Torsani, at right, speaks with students and their flight instructors after they arrived in Cherokee Warrior and Cessna 172S lightweight aircraft from Florida Tech, or FIT, in Melbourne. The middle and high school students are participating in FIT’s Av/Aero summer camp experience. They and their flight instructors toured the SLF midfield control tower, viewed F104 Starfighters and NASA Huey helicopters in the RLV Hangar, viewed the runway plaques marking wheels stop for each of the three space shuttles, and toured the Vehicle Assembly Building where space shuttle Atlantis currently is stored. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In a support building near NASA Kennedy Space Center’s Shuttle Landing Facility, or SLF, in Florida, students and their flight instructors from Florida Tech, FIT, in Melbourne listen to F104 Starfighters Director Rick Svetkoff. The middle and high school students are participating in FIT’s Av/Aero summer camp experience. They and their flight instructors toured the SLF midfield control tower, viewed F104 Starfighters and NASA Huey helicopters in the RLV Hangar, viewed the runway plaques marking wheels stop for each of the three space shuttles, and toured the Vehicle Assembly Building where space shuttle Atlantis currently is stored. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Inside the RLV Hangar near NASA Kennedy Space Center’s Shuttle Landing Facility, or SLF, in Florida, students and their flight instructors from Florida Tech, FIT, in Melbourne, view F104 Starfighter aircraft and listen to Starfighter Director Rick Svetkoff. The flight instructors and their students arrived at the SLF in Cherokee Warrior and Cessna 172S lightweight aircraft. The middle and high school students are participating in FIT’s Av/Aero summer camp experience. They and their flight instructors toured the SLF midfield control tower, viewed F104 Starfighters and NASA Huey helicopters in the RLV Hangar, viewed the runway plaques marking wheels stop for each of the three space shuttles, and toured the Vehicle Assembly Building where space shuttle Atlantis currently is stored. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett