NASA Joins Girl Scouts Celebrating 100 Years Of Inspiration And Empowerment

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Jun 05, 2012, 11:56 ET

WASHINGTON, June 5, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- NASA will mark the 100th anniversary of the Girl Scouts of America by hosting a Girl Scouts Rock@NASA event from 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. June 8 in the James E. Webb Memorial Auditorium located at NASA Headquarters in Washington.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20081007/38461LOGO)

NASA Deputy Administrator Lori Garver and two former astronauts, Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper and Pam Melroy, will participate. Media are invited to attend.

NASA and the Girl Scouts share a common goal to encourage and educate young girls about science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) in exciting and innovative ways. The Girl Scouts began in 1912 with only 18 girls. Today, there are 3.2 million girls and adults who are members. In 100 years, the organization has graduated more than 59 million women in the United States.

The Girl Scouts Rock@NASA program will cover aeronautics, science and exploration. Attendees will learn about NASA's missions and careers from scientists and other invited guests and have opportunities to experience hands-on, interactive displays.

NASA will host two sessions based on the age of the attendees.

In the morning session, Stefanyshyn-Piper will speak to younger explorers about some of NASA's missions and discoveries. Attendees will be able to take a picture of themselves on Mars and learn about solar sails and NASA technology in everyday life.

The afternoon session, targeted to Girl Scout cadettes, seniors, and ambassadors, will feature Garver and Melroy. Attendees also will be able to use interactive activities to learn more about NASA and STEM.

Media wanting to attend the event must send an email to Sonja Alexander, at [email protected] by 4 p.m. Thursday, June 7.

Attendance is limited to pre-registered Girl Scout troops. To register, visit:

http://women.nasa.gov/events

For more information on the Girl Scouts and the 100-Year Anniversary Rock the National Mall event, visit:

http://www.girlscouts.org/yearofthegirl/event_rock_the_mall.asp

To learn more about the Girl Scouts of America and the emphasis on STEM, visit:

http://www.girlscouts.org/program/basics/science/

This event is part of the Women@NASA project, which is a continuing joint effort by NASA and the White House Council on Women and Girls to relate science, technology, engineering and math fields to young females. For more information on the project, visit:

http://women.nasa.gov/

SOURCE NASA