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Community Corner

Goddard Open House Offers Fun and Learning

The exhibits and activities at NASA's Community Open House were for kids of all ages.

Rain-soaked grass didn’t dampen the day for visitors hoping for adventure at Explore@NASA Goddard, Saturday's open house at the .

“There are so many ways that we explore our Earth and the universe, and we’ve invited people to come and see how we do that.” said Robert Gutro, the deputy news chief at NASA Goddard.

This is the third open house at NASA Goddard, and this year’s theme focused on all of the sciences areas covered at NASA Goddard: astrophysics, heliophysics, earth science, planetary science, technology and people. Community open houses at NASA Goddard take place every three to five years.

There was much fun to be had among all the learning. Lining the mall at Goddard were various tents where visitors could “ask an expert” and purchase food from vendors. Children collected stamps as they explored different areas to win prizes. Star Wars characters made an appearance for pictures with visitors, and kids could build their own spacecrafts in the Build the Future LEGO exhibit.

Visitors also got a chance to meet and greet real astronauts, including four-time space traveler Scott Altman, who autographed photos and took pictures with fans of all ages.

Commemorating the 50th anniversary of manned spaceflight and the 30th anniversary of NASA’s space shuttle program was a special globe-shaped cake, spinning in place on a platform sporting the NASA logo. This animated delight was created by the pastry chefs at Charm City Cakes of Baltimore, the famed bakery featured on the Food Network’s hit show, “Ace of Cakes.” Accompanying this custom cake were 2,000 other delectable pastries baked by Chef Lou himself of in Greenbelt.

Congresswoman Donna Edwards of Maryland’s 4th Congressional District visited to cut the custom cake and share her optimism for the future with the young visitors.

“I want young people to take away the energy and excitement of working toward the future,” Edwards said. “That’s what NASA is all about!”

“We want people to have a better understanding of what’s going on in their own backyards and to try to get kids interested in science and possibly careers at NASA” added Robert Strain, the center director at NASA Goddard.

It was an educational and enjoyable experience for both children and adult visitors like Nicole Jackson, 24, who was visiting from the Bronx, N.Y.

“I’m enjoying everything: speaking to astronauts, talking to people, learning about NASA. Not everyone has this opportunity. This is a really great experience,” Jackson said as she tried on an authentic space suit at one of the exhibits.

Editor's note: The original story stated NASA Goddard Space Center. The correct name is NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. We regret the error.

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