Press Release

For Immediate Release
Contact: Jennifer Forrest
jforrest@amod.org
501-396-7050 ext.214

Arkansas Teachers Learning New Tricks With Balloons

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (May 08, 2007) –On June 13, teachers from around the state will gather at the Museum of Discovery. Their mission: to use the Museum as the launch site for a innovative space science program sponsored by NASA.

Facilitated by Ed Roberts, Director of the Arkansas Academy of Space Science, and funded by the Arkansas Space Grant Consortium, large balloons will lift a small radio transmitter over 35,000 feet. The transmitter will broadcast temperature data back to the ground where it will be recorded by the teacher participants.

The program is a learning opportunity for the teachers, who will be trained in a hands-on and inquiry based lesson designed for grades 6 to 12. Each teacher will be provided with the information, resources, and equipment to conduct a similar balloon experiment with their own students.

“The Museum of Discovery is a center for hands-on, interactive learning. We are excited to host such a unique event,” said Nan Selz, Executive Director at the Museum of Discovery.

This will be the first balloon launch of this type from downtown Little Rock. The launch will occur at 1:30 p.m. behind the Museum of Discovery.

ABOUT THE MUSEUM
Founded in 1927, The Museum of Discovery is Little Rock’s oldest museum. It remains a fixture of the River Market District in Downtown Little Rock and welcomes visitors into a “world of discovery for all ages.” Throughout 2007, the Museum is proud to celebrate “80 Years of Discovery.” The year-long celebration will include special events and exhibits designed to showcase science, history and technology.

The Museum’s mission is to engage, enlighten and educate people of all ages through an interactive experience where science and history come alive. The Museum of Discovery is a Smithsonian Affiliate, and a member of the American Association of Museums, the Association of Science and Technology Centers and the Association of Children’s Museums.

Admission is $8.00 for adults, $7.00 for children 1-12, $7.00 for seniors over 65 and free for children under one. Hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 1-5 p.m. Sunday. The Museum of Discovery is located at 500 President Clinton Ave., Suite 150, Little Rock, Ark. For more information, call the Museum of Discovery at (501) 396-7050 or visit www.amod.org.