Public Invited to Explore@NASA Goddard, a Free Event on May 14, 2011

GREENBELT, Md., May 5, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Want to know what a "clean room" looks like? Want to see where satellites are developed and see one being built? Meet an astronaut? Everyone can do this and more while exploring the universe in a huge, free event called Explore@NASA Goddard set for Saturday, May 14, 2011 from 11 a.m.–5 p.m. EDT, rain or shine.

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NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md., welcomes everyone for a day of fun-filled activities, hands-on demonstrations, entertainment, and food. Explore@NASA Goddard will engage visitors in Goddard's work in Earth science, heliophysics, planetary science, astrophysics, and engineering and technology.

This event will include indoor and outdoor exhibits and entertainment that will thrill and educate at the same time. The event is organized into six zones:

• Earth Science: Experience how NASA measures and monitors our changing Earth from space;
• Solar System: Discover how solar cycles affect Earth's climate and how space weather changes the magnetosphere. Witness planetary science in action;
• Universe: Explore the many ways the universe and everything in it is constantly changing;
• Engineering & Technology: See discoveries in science through technological research, development, and engineering;
• People: Investigate the diverse people and careers at Goddard Space Flight Center;
• On the Mall: Discover the fun activities, great food, crafts, and entertainment on our mall area. Fantastic foods abound, from soul food to BBQ, and ice cream to souvlaki. Music features the a cappella group Sweet Honey in the Rock®, and Milkshake with great music for kids.

Besides the educational and hands-on activities, music, and food for the kids, you can "Build the Future" with LEGO®! The Traveling Space Museum will show visitors a hovercraft demonstration, a full-motion flight simulator, and a Space Shuttle toilet simulation. Science shows and demonstrations will be presented by Mad Science and the Franklin Institute of Philadelphia, Pa.

Visitors can join Center Director Rob Strain and other special guests to celebrate the 50th anniversary of human spaceflight and the 30th year of NASA's space shuttle program. A cake from Charm City Cakes stands as a moving homage that features a spinning Earth orbited by a shuttle and the International Space Station. Local dessert master Chef Lou will join the festivities with his fresh baked indulgences. The first 2,500 guests will be treated to these extraordinary dessert creations.

Several other external partners will be on hand, including U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Geological Survey, the Children's Museum, and the Applied Physics Laboratory.

Visitors will park free at designated remote parking locations: New Carrollton Metro Station, Greenbelt Metro, Laurel Fringe Lot, and Duval High School. The event will feature pedestrian-friendly routes and shuttle buses to transport attendees to the various attractions. Continuous shuttle loop to remote parking locations every 15 minutes from 11:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. After 4:00 p.m., shuttles will no longer pick-up from the remote parking/metro locations, but will continue to drop off.

Explore@NASA Goddard is sponsored in part by ATK, Honeywell International Corporation, Lockheed Martin Corporation, Raytheon, SAIC, SGT, and other sponsors, and made possible by a partnership with the National Capital Section of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.

More information, directions, and a downloadable event program, visit:

www.nasa.gov/exploreatnasagoddard

For information about NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, visit:

www.nasa.gov/goddard

SOURCE NASA