For Release: Monday, April 9, 2007
Contact: David Gillies: 202-225-5661
Washington - U.S. Congressman Jerry Costello (D-IL) announced today that the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA's) "Journey to Tomorrow" traveling exhibit will be part of the 2007 Scott Air Force Base (AFB) Air Show. The "Journey to Tomorrow" exhibit is housed in a 53-foot trailer and contains eight interactive kiosks that allow participants to go at their own pace as they learn about the history and challenges of air and space exploration. Interesting features include a lunar landing simulator, a planetary gravity demonstrator and a moon rock brought back from one of the Apollo lunar landing missions.
Costello, a senior member of the House Science and Technology Committee, contacted NASA in support of Scott AFB's request to have the exhibit as part of this year's air show, which is scheduled for July 7-8. The theme of the air show is a celebration of Scott AFB's 90th birthday and the 60th anniversary of the United States Air Force.
"Air and space travel hold a fascination for people of all ages, and I am happy to help bring this exciting exhibit to Scott," said Costello. "The type of program can be particularly important for students, as it emphasizes, in a fun and interesting way, the importance of math and science education and how these concepts are integral to understanding air and space travel. I hope it will help inspire area students to look at the fields of math and science for careers, and perhaps even follow the footsteps of Belleville 's Dr. Sandy Magnus and enter the astronaut program. If air and space exploration has taught us anything, it is that anything is possible."
###