Creative, hands-on workshops run the gamut from “Up Close with the Astronaut” to “The invasion of the Hydraulic Robotic Arms,” “Super Volcano,” “Engineering Putt-Putt Boats” and “Skulls.”
Students in grades 4-12, parents and teachers of any grade level are invited to register for the 12th annual Astronaut Ellison Onizuka Science Day, which will be held from 8 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. Saturday at the University of Hawaii at Hilo.
Visit http://www.spacegrant.hawaii.edu/OnizukaDay/ for information and enrollment materials. Phone 934-7261 or e-mail art@higp.hawaii.edu for more information.
On Jan. 28, 1986, the space shuttle Challenger broke apart 73 seconds into flight, killing all seven crew members on board, including Kona native Onizuka. It was the first time NASA had lost astronauts during a spaceflight. Now, 26 years later to the day, the day in celebration of learning and discovery will be hosted by the university and the Big Island scientific community to remember Onizuka and his passion for learning and education.
Coming straight from NASA, astronaut Mike Fincke will return to Hilo after breaking the record for longest time in space by a U.S. astronaut. Fincke spent more than 378 days in space, breaking the record formerly held by fellow astronaut Peggy Whitson. Fincke has now spent more time in orbit than the shuttle Endeavour has logged in its entire 19-year career
Prior to this last mission, Fincke had only traveled on the Russian Soyuz, so his time aboard the Endeavour was his first mission on a U.S. shuttle. Since the shuttle program has now ended, Fincke may hold on to this record for a very long time, noted program coordinators.
Workshops and Fincke’s presentation are free, but you must enroll. Select from 22 interactive science workshops and view more than 20 exhibits and displays. There is also free lunch for all registered students and a free bus from Kona and Waimea to Hilo. There will be an afternoon program with Dale Olive.
Creative, hands-on workshops run the gamut from “Up Close with the Astronaut” to “The invasion of the Hydraulic Robotic Arms,” “Super Volcano,” “Engineering Putt-Putt Boats” and “Skulls.”