Published: May 13, 2008 03:28 pm      

NASA exhibit changes venues to Rusk Middle School

By Cristin Ross

cross@jacksonvilleprogress.com

The Cherokee County Agri-Life Extension Leadership Advisory committee’s exhibit featuring the National Aeronautics Space Administration (NASA) is being unveiled today at Rusk Junior High in Rusk.

The exhibit has been moved from the Thomas J. Rusk Hotel to make it more accessible to Rusk students. Admission is free.

“I wanted our student body to get as much exposure to it as possible,” RJH Principal John Burkhalter said Monday. “And we have full houses through the day for all three days.”

Area schools interested in bringing their students to the event, may call RJH Principal John Burkhalter, 903-683-2502, to make arrangements for a tour. The exhibit will be open to the public from 5 to 8 p.m. each day in the school cafeteria. Admission is free.

According to event officials, the exhibit promises a unique opportunity to learn more about the U.S. space program and how any citizen might play a part in the exploration of space.

“NASA is scrapping the shuttle program as soon as they get the International Space Station finished,” said Willie Arnwine, the Cherokee County 4-H Extension Agent and a co-coordinator of the exhibit. “The new program will include the construction of a launch site on the moon, in order to reach Mars.

“The first people who will be able to set foot on Mars are 12 to 14 years old now.”

Life size and scale size exhibits include real space suits, the space shuttle and 747 jets, space tools and equipment, astronaut food and more.

The extension agency’s committee members sponsored a science camp last summer for local students, and Arnwine said it went over so well they thought they’d offer more science-oriented programs this year.

“We’re always trying to bring new educational programs to the area, for the benefit of both young and older audiences,” Arnwine said.

The exhibit is sponsored by The Cherokee County Leadership Advisory Board of the Texas Agri-Life Extension Service; Jacksonville and Rusk Chambers of Commerce; Lon Morris College; and the Thomas J. Rusk Hotel.