Rocketdyne Plans Activities at Schools

The Boeing Co., through its Rocketdyne Propulsion & Power facility, is encouraging youths to explore space.

“Quite frankly, we’re probably moving into the second golden age of space exploration,” said Dan Beck, a spokesman for Rocketdyne.

“Whatever we can do to inspire kids to look into math and science will help us in the long run by possibly providing engineers and other experts.”

During Space Week, a national celebration to heighten awareness of benefits of space exploration, Rocketdyne is conducting activities at 18 San Fernando Valley schools and reaching out to more than 2,200 students, Beck said.

Those schools: Cantara Street elementary and Fullbright Avenue elementary in Canoga Park; Lassen elementary and Vintage Math, Science and Technical Magnet School in Chatsworth; Holy Martyrs Armenian elementary and Ferrahian High School in Encino; Garden Grove elementary, Lorne Street elementary and Napa Street elementary in Northridge; Nestle Avenue School in Tarzana; Pomelo Drive elementary and Sunny Brae Avenue elementary in West Hills; Hart Street elementary, Melvin Avenue elementary and Winnetka elementary in Winnetka, and El Camino High School, Serrania Avenue elementary and Welby Way Gifted Center in Woodland Hills.

Tours and classroom presentations will be held throughout next week. The events will culminate with model rocket launches at Lorne Street elementary on Wednesday and the North Valley YMCA on May 31. About 70 student-built model rockets will be launched at each site, Beck said.