Science Education

WASHINGTON, DC October 20, 2003-โ€" Mayor Anthony A. Williams today issued a proclamation designating October 18 to 25 as Journey through the Universe Week. The Journey Week program, developed by Challenger Center for Space Science Education in partnership with the District of Columbia Public Schools, celebrates human exploration and the joys of learning through a week-long series of educational programs and family events planned at locations throughout the metropolitan area.



Journey through the Universe uses the subjects of human space flight, and Earth and space sciences to engage entire communities in sustained science, mathematics, and technology education. The national program, funded by grants from NASA's Minority University Research and Education Programs, and Offices of Space Flight, Space Science, and Earth Science, was created by Challenger Center in 1999.



The District of Columbia, a program participant since 2000, is one of ten Journey through the Universe sites nationwide.

"When our city's young people say, โ€˜When I grow up, I want to beโ€ฆ,' it is critical that our members of the community offer them as many opportunities as possible to fulfill their dreams," said Mayor Williams. "The Journey program recognizes how important a role all of us play in our students' education. I encourage all D.C. residents to participate in this week-long celebration of learning and discovery."



Journey through the Universe Week activities include educator workshops that train teachers on Earth and space science lessons developed by Challenger Center; classroom presentations in which 35 space scientists and engineers from 15 area research organizations will visit every sixth grade student in over 100 D.C. public and charter schools; and Family Science Days.



"Human space flight has always reminded us that we are ultimately a single communityโ€"as any of us who huddled around the television to watch Neil Armstrong take his first step on the moon can attest," said Joe Allen, former astronaut and board chairman of Challenger Center. "We are extremely proud that the Journey program can bring families, students, and teachers in the District of Columbia together on a voyage of exploration, providing them with access to the universe and answers to its complexities."



Additional information about the DC Journey through the Universe program can be found at www.challenger.org/dcjourney.