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NASA Administrator and COSI Launch Artemis Learning Lunchbox Initiative in Orlando

Tuesday, 07 June 2022

Orlando Science Center and Kennedy Space Center On-Hand to Assist in Distribution

Orlando, Florida (June 7, 2022) – On Friday, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson helped kick off a new initiative in Florida with the Center of Science and Industry (COSI), the number one science museum in the country, Kennedy Space Center and the Orlando Science Center. This new program is aimed at inspiring and educating youth and family about NASA’s upcoming Artemis missions, which includes landing the first woman and person of color on the Moon and helping prepare for human exploration on Mars.

The Learning Lunchboxes were given to those in-need at New Beginning Church – The Gathering Place in Orlando, Florida in conjunction with a food drive through Second Harvest Food Bank. To inspire those who came to the event, the Orlando Science Center provided visual experiments with dry ice and liquid nitrogen.

The Learning Lunchboxes were created in partnership by COSI and NASA thanks to a generous donation through NASA’s Teams Engaging Affiliated Museums and Informal Institutions (TEAM II) program. These science kits provide five space-focused learning activities that showcase the diversity of STEM at NASA. COSI will distribute 30,000 NASA Learning Lunchboxes at local food banks across the country to help feed hungry lives and feed hungry minds. This innovative, community-based model will bring together other science centers and museums, afterschool providers and community leaders to highlight the importance of STEM. This project also includes digital extension resources.

“We want to meet people where they are, and that’s why NASA is partnering with COSI to provide 30,000 Artemis-themed Learning Lunchboxes to children and families across the nation to learn about NASA’s upcoming Artemis Moon missions. Inside each NASA Artemis Learning Lunchbox is over 10 hours of STEM content, and I can’t wait to see more of these lunchboxes delivered to children across the country,” said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson. “I want to thank COSI, Second Harvest Food Bank, the Orlando Science Center and the New Beginnings Church for helping to bring food, STEM education and NASA to communities across the country with these kits.”

“Every child has a dream and every child needs to achieve that dream, and when you talk to adults who are now astronauts or aerospace engineers, it all started with a spark - being taught something that inspired their life. We need to make sure every kid, regardless of zip code or socioeconomic status, has the promise to achieve that because they may be the next astronaut or scientific mind that will get us further in our exploration of space.” Said Dr. Frederic Bertley, president & CEO, COSI. “It’s all about partnerships. We can’t thank NASA enough for their generosity in both dollars and support of this great initiative.”

NASA, COSI and the U.S. State Department recently showcased the NASA Learning Lunchboxes at the World Fair in Dubai as an example of American innovation and efforts to educate the next generation.

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