JPL Launches a Mission to Glendale

The Jet Propulsion Laboratory, renowned for its forays into distant space, could be on a mission to Glendale.

The Pasadena-based space research facility, whose interplanetary endeavors included last year’s successful Pathfinder probe to Mars, is planning to team with Glendale Community College to build a $2-million science center, according to the college, JPL officials and Rep. James E. Rogan (R-Glendale), who is spearheading efforts to secure funding for the project on Capitol Hill.

If legislation that includes money for the 7,000-square-foot facility is approved, it would be one of a few dozen such centers around the country that are affiliated with NASA and designed to boost awareness and interest in science and science education. Plans call for a 120-seat planetarium and lecture hall at the site, as well as a seismic observation facility and three science labs linked to JPL.

“It would be tremendous for us,” said Glendale College President John Davitt. “It would give us increased facilities space, and it would tie our science programs to our feeder high schools.”

Davitt, who said the school expects to pay roughly $100,000 annually to operate the new facility, said he had never heard of a community college being the recipient of such a project. “It’s a rarity as far as I know, but we’re happy to get it,” he said.

The center would probably be built in an area adjacent to the math and science buildings. It would be open to the public, according to Rogan’s office.

Students at the college would probably reap most of the benefits from the facility, however, enjoying direct access to NASA-JPL archival information, data from satellites and spacecraft as well as access to JPL’s remotely controlled optical telescope on Mt. Wilson and a 34-meter radio telescope in Goldstone, near Barstow.

The college and JPL would also work together to develop a state-of-the-art classroom for applied technology, said Fred Shair, manager of JPL’s educational affairs office.

“This classroom would consist of a number of instruments, including a global positioning satellite system and a seismograph,” said Shair. “These instruments allow all students, not just those interested in science and technology, to have hands-on experience doing real science.”

An important element of the project is to assist teachers and students training to be teachers, said Kristin Bruno, the college’s dean of information and technology services.

“It will offer an excellent opportunity to educators to enhance their science skills,” said Bruno, who praised Rogan for his effort’s to develop a larger science presence in the Glendale area. “With JPL so close to us here, it’s a natural match,” she said.

Rogan agreed, saying, “We wanted to find a way to reach out to K-12 and college students in order to promote a greater understanding and interest in science. Right in the center of our district we have one of the most respected labs in the world in JPL.

“The fun part of this job is being able to go from the drawing board of one’s mind to helping create something that will have impact on the community, our state and our country,” Rogan said. “This will have lasting benefits long after my time in politics has expired.”

Andrew Blankstein is a Times staff writer and Jon Steinman is a correspondent.