Students Nationwide Blast off Aerospace Careers at World's Largest Rocket Contest Saturday, May 15 near Washington, D.C.

Final NASA Atlantis Shuttle Launch and Iron Man 2 Success Bring Rocketry to Pop Culture Forefront

**Great Photo and Video Opportunities of Students Launching Hand-Made Rockets**

ARLINGTON, Va., May 13 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following is being issued by Aerospace Industries Association:

WHO:

• 100 middle and high-school student teams of rocketeers and mentor teachers
• Aerospace Industries Association Chairman and Textron CEO Scott Donnelly
• Former TARC participants who are now pursuing aerospace degrees and careers
• Representatives from NASA and other Team America Rocketry Challenge (TARC) sponsors

WHAT:

To encourage our nation's brightest teens to pursue aerospace careers and continue our country on the path as a space leader, the Aerospace Industries Association and the National Association of Rocketry are conducting their 8th annual Team America Rocketry Challenge—the world's largest rocket contest.

After months of designing, building and test launching hand-made model rockets, the top 100 teams will compete in the TARC National Finals for $60,000 in scholarships and a chance to compete internationally at the air show near London in July. The rockets must reach an altitude of exactly 825 feet and stay aloft 40-45 seconds. The new twist this year — teams must land an egg payload unbroken without a parachute!

WHY:

As the nation is captivated by NASA's space shuttle Atlantis final launch on Friday, May 14, and as crowds flock to theaters for the 'explosive' Iron Man 2 feature film, hundreds of budding rocket scientists are developing skills that will help fuel the aerospace industry's future workforce. Funding for the U.S. space program is increasing and taking a new direction with the need for more top-notch aerospace talent as public sector companies fill the void. To remain competitive in space exploration, it's essential for the U.S. to continue encouraging students to pursue Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, or STEM-related degrees.

WHEN:      

Saturday, May 15, 2010

7:30 a.m.-5:45 p.m. (full schedule available upon request)

WHERE:

Great Meadow in The Plains, Virginia

From Washington, D.C.: Take I-66 W to Exit 31. Turn left. Site will be on the left in 2 miles

SOURCE Aerospace Industries Association