Astronaut a Hit With Students

No one can accuse Woodlake Elementary School fifth-graders of being spaced out, despite their preoccupation with celestial bodies. The Woodland Hills science students recently completed work on an astronomy unit that culminated in a special visit to Boeing’s Rocketdyne Propulsion and Power facilities. The aerospace giant’s educational outreach program reached 50,000 students last year.

After their tour of the Canoga Park plant that played a role in the recently launched international space station, the math and science magnet students enjoyed a conversation with NASA astronaut James F. Reilly, who answered their questions via satellite from Houston. The veteran space traveler is scheduled to fly on the historic 100th space shuttle mission early next year.

“The kids are so interested in space and they ask amazing questions,” said Rocketdyne’s Ken Phillips, manager of the educational outreach program. “They’re so bright.”

PROGRAM NOTES

Spare Parts: In its third attempt at winning a national title, the Chatsworth High School robotics team began construction Monday of a radio-controlled device that the team will take next month to the California Regional robotics competition at NASA Ames Research Center at Moffett Field. When completed, the mechanical device will use its arms to lift 10 objects eight feet off the ground, a task not as easy to accomplish as it might sound, according to Wendy Wooten, Chatsworth’s physics teacher and robotics team teacher. Corporate sponsors and donations from local businesses and community groups have provided the $45,000 necessary to cover competition expenses.

KUDOS

Top Scholar: Taft High School senior Gloria Labbad has won the United States Senate Youth Scholarship, awarded to just two students per state. The Woodland Hills student, 17, is an intern for Assemblyman Robert Hertzberg (D-Sherman Oaks), and in that capacity also serves as chairwoman of a government commission dealing with high school issues.

The Reseda resident received a $2,000 scholarship, funded by the William Randolph Hearst Foundation, and will head to Washington next month for a week’s tour of the nation’s capital.

EVENTS

Living the Dream: Mission College in Sylmar and the Rev. Jordan Davis of Parks Chapel A.M.E. Church in San Fernando will host the 11th annual San Fernando Valley Interfaith Council Martin Luther King Jr. birthday commemoration at the college’s Campus Center at 7 p.m. Monday. The interfaith celebration will feature an address by keynote speaker William “Blinky” Rodriguez and guests will be entertained with gospel singing and a dance performance.

The first annual Tom Bradley Award will be presented to two outstanding young people for their help in promoting racial harmony in their community. The public is invited to attend; admission is free.

Reading Fun: The Volunteer Center Assistance League of Southern California’s America Reads Challenge program will host a special event for kindergarten- through third-graders Saturday at the Van Nuys branch of the Los Angeles Public Library. Beginning at 10 a.m., costumed volunteers--including Carina Lasko, author of “The Magic of the Rainbow Tribe”--will read aloud to young book enthusiasts. The first 100 children to arrive will be given a book to take home.

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Class Notes appears every Wednesday. Send news about schools to the Valley Edition, Los Angeles Times, 20000 Prairie St., Chatsworth 91311. Or fax it to (818) 772-3338. Or e-mail them to diane.wedner@latimes.com