For Release: Jan. 26, 1995

Jerry Berg/Steve Roy
Marshall Space Flight Center
Huntsville, Ala.
(Phone: 205/544-0034 or -6540)

News Release: 95-6

NOTE TO EDITORS: STUDENTS TO SEE RESULTS OF THEIR WORK FOR SPACE PROGRAM

A group of local high school students has produced some supporting hardware for use in a simulator at the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala., where Space Shuttle science crew members train for missions.

The high school students are from the Center for Technology of the Huntsville City School system. In an innovative demonstration project initiated by the Marshall Center, they fabricated the hardware -- a set of specialized brackets -- as part of a class project at the center located on Drake Avenue.

As an enhancement to their learning experience, the students will be visiting Marshall Center at 9:00 a.m. Monday, Jan. 30, to see how the items they fabricated are being used in a Spacelab module at Marshall's Payload Crew Training Complex.

Benefits of the project include providing an opportunity for the students to experience hands-on involvement in the development of hardware for the space program, according to Paul Gilbert, a Spacelab mission assistant manager, who spearheaded the effort. Also, NASA obtained some required items through an innovative, cost-effective approach.

News media are welcome to cover the visit on Monday. Interviews can be arranged with participants including Paul Gilbert; Tim White, the students' teacher; or, one or more of the students who produced the hardware.

Media planning to cover the event should come to the Public Affairs Office by 8:45 a.m. Monday, or call Jerry Berg or Steve Roy at 544-0034.