Andrew
06-20-2008, 03:01 PM
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (WESH.com) -- Decorated statues of the space shuttle will soon be placed in public places around Central Florida.
The statues will be built for educational purposes and will be paid for by sponsors. It's an effort by astronauts to get more college-bound students interested in science and math.
"This country is way behind in science and math," astronaut Capt. Bob Crippen said.
Crippen flew the first space shuttle in 1981. He also lent his image to the unveiling of 12 new shuttles, sponsored by a variety of organizations on the Space Coast.
Artists will decorate the statues before they are debuted at the Space and Air Show at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in November. Later, they'll go on display wherever their sponsors put them, like street corners and business lobbies.
The statues will be placed wherever they can attract attention because the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation, which is run by astronauts, wants to express the need for science education.
Crippen said space shuttles have been flying for more than half of NASA's 50-year existence, and the shuttle is soon to be retired. The statues are one way for the space shuttle to keep its place in people's hearts and minds, Crippen said.
Sponsorships cost $2,800 to $20,000. The foundation said it hopes to have 100 of the statues around Brevard County and Central Florida. It also hopes to give $10,000 scholarships to 20 students next year.
The statues will be built for educational purposes and will be paid for by sponsors. It's an effort by astronauts to get more college-bound students interested in science and math.
"This country is way behind in science and math," astronaut Capt. Bob Crippen said.
Crippen flew the first space shuttle in 1981. He also lent his image to the unveiling of 12 new shuttles, sponsored by a variety of organizations on the Space Coast.
Artists will decorate the statues before they are debuted at the Space and Air Show at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in November. Later, they'll go on display wherever their sponsors put them, like street corners and business lobbies.
The statues will be placed wherever they can attract attention because the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation, which is run by astronauts, wants to express the need for science education.
Crippen said space shuttles have been flying for more than half of NASA's 50-year existence, and the shuttle is soon to be retired. The statues are one way for the space shuttle to keep its place in people's hearts and minds, Crippen said.
Sponsorships cost $2,800 to $20,000. The foundation said it hopes to have 100 of the statues around Brevard County and Central Florida. It also hopes to give $10,000 scholarships to 20 students next year.