Post by Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe on Jan 25, 2007 22:43:04 GMT -6
Adler, ComEd Challenge Students to 'Shoot for the Moon' with Essay Contest
Northern Illinois middle school students learn about careers in space exploration, qualify for chance to win a trip to Space Camp and other prizes
CHICAGO, Jan. 25 /PRNewswire/ -- ComEd and the Adler Planetarium today announced an essay contest for middle school students to promote their understanding of science careers involved in space exploration and qualify a lucky grand-prize winner for a trip to Space Camp in Alabama.
ComEd sponsors the planetarium's permanent exhibit, Shoot for the Moon, which launched last November and features thrilling stories of American space exploration. As an extension of the sponsorship, ComEd is encouraging 6th, 7th and 8th grade students throughout its service territory to look at the variety of jobs it takes to complete a space mission and draft a 200-word essay about which job they would aspire to have, why that job is important and why they would be ideal for the position.
"In line with our support of education -- and science education in particular -- ComEd is a proud, long-time sponsor of the Adler Planetarium," said Frank M. Clark, ComEd chairman and CEO and chairman of the board of trustees for the Adler Planetarium. "Space exploration is imbedded in the fabric of American culture, and the Shoot for the Moon essay contest is an optimal way for us to interest young people in science."
Participants in the essay contest will have the opportunity to win one of three exciting prizes including:
-- Grand Prize: A six-day trip to Space Camp in Huntsville, Alabama, paid for by ComEd
-- First Runner Up: A VIP tour, lunch and show at the Adler for the winner's science class
-- Second Runner Up: A one-year family membership to the Adler
Students can sign up for the contest by visiting www.exeloncorp.com/comed/moon . Entries must be postmarked by March 20, 2007.
"The Adler is pleased to partner with ComEd on this essay contest," said Paul H. Knappenberger, Jr., President of the Adler Planetarium. "We hope this contest will engage students with the thrills and challenges of space exploration and inspire them to pursue math and science education."
National hero Captain James A. Lovell, Jr., one of two NASA astronauts featured in Shoot for the Moon, will serve on the panel of essay judges, along with Clark, Knappenberger, Dr. Raymond Dagenais, president of the Illinois Science Teachers Association, Tamara L. O'Shaughnessy, editor of Chicago Parent magazine and Phil Rogers from NBC 5 Chicago. NBC 5 is the media sponsor of Shoot for the Moon.
Five finalists will be chosen from each grade level, and the winner will be announced at the Adler Planetarium on National Astronomy Day (April 21, 2007).
Employees, officers, and directors (and their immediate family members, and members of the same households, whether related or not) of ComEd and its affiliates, subsidiaries, advertising and promotional agencies are not eligible to participate.
Source: biz.yahoo.com/prnews/070125/cgth034.html?.v=85