Thousands of science fans convened last weekend at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory to learn more about extraterrestrial science and exploration when JPL opened its doors for its annual open house.
The purpose of the event is to communicate to the public the importance of the scientific work being done at JPL and to stimulate young minds to the possibilities of continued exploration. This year’s theme, “Excitement in Explorations,” gave scientists and engineers a chance to explain their favorite gadgets, ideas and projects from the past year and to share their plans for the future.
Young visitors were treated to a number of interactive exhibits, including a demonstration of full-scale models of Mars rovers and 3-D touchscreen displays that depicted real-time images of Earth. Other exhibits included a walk-through solar system that detailed past and future fact-finding missions to Saturn, Jupiter and the moon.
JPL officials said that more than 38,000 visitors came to the open house during its two days, while thousands more viewed the event over the Internet. Recordings of live streaming video from the open house are available at www.ustream.tv/nasajpl2.