Did you know that NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) offers free speakers? No, I don’t mean that they will send you new subwoofers. But if you have a group of people who would like to learn about JPL’s planetary exploration programs, chances are that there is a JPL Solar System Ambassador in your city who will be happy to schedule a free presentation for your group, large or small.
Solar System Ambassadors (SSA) are knowledgeable volunteers who provide a wide variety of educational presentations as part of this public outreach program at JPL. With nearly 500 ambassadors across the US, the SSA program aims to increase awareness and knowledge of missions such as the Mars Exploration Rovers, the Phoenix lander and other current and future reasearch on Mars; the Cassini spacecraft now orbitting Saturn; and many other missions and programs in America’s robotic exploration of space.
Ambassadors give presentations at museums, libraries, local astronomical societies and many other venues. For example, Ambassador Ron Hobbs recently gave a presentation called “Barnstorming the Solar System” to the Boeing Employees’ Astronomical Society in Seattle; in DeLand, Florida, SSA Kenneth Kremer spoke at the George Marks Elementary school on “Two Robots Exploring Mars”; and in Elgin, Illinois, James Kovac and John Vittallio gave an update on the Cassini-Huygens Mission to Saturn. On this coming Tuesday (9/18) , Eric Norris will give a “NASA Missions Update” at the Sunnyvale Public Library in Sunnyvale, California .
Other Ambassadors have provided free planet viewing at star parties, poster and other exhibits for meetings, presentations to educational organizations, and have been guests on local radio and TV shows.
So if you need a speaker for your club, library, church, scout group or just about any other organization or meeting, check out JPL’s Solar System Ambassador in your community. To find the Solar System Ambassador nearest you, check out:
Solar System Ambassador Directory.
NEWS FLASH! If *you* are interested in becoming the next Solar System Ambassador, you have until September 30 to submit your application: Become a Solar System Ambassador.
Larry Sessions, SSA
Denver
Very cool program!
I agree, very good that they’re doing things for the community and helping to educate the children.
There are thousands of speaker coordinators out there who don’t know the free resources they have available, so if anyone who reads this knows of someone who schedules talks for a service group, museum, library, science center or other organization; or is planning a space-related event; or needs and interview for radio or TV, please let them know about this program. I have been in the program for probably 6 or 7 years now, and it has been a wonderful experience.
LS
Cool -
thanks for pointing this out! I know a couple of groups that might be interested, and I’m pointing them here right now.
-Ben
Hi, Ben, thanks. I have to say that the Solar System Ambassadors are a very enthusiastic group and responses to the presentations are typically VERY positive. Please *do* spread the word!
LS
This is excellent news. Do you know if Nasa will supply the Audio / Visual materials for the speakers’ presentations?
Hi, Jackie. Yes, JPL does supply some AV, Video and sometimes even slides (my such an old technology) for the speakers. Much of it the speakers are able to download and arrange on their own. Typically what I do is simply put together a Powerpoint of the most recent images, but some video is available, and of course there are plenty of links for everyone to check out on their own. The important thing is to contact the Ambassador in your area for details on what they in particular do.
Larry S.
Larry:
Is there a JPL Solar System Ambassador in the Des Moines, Iowa are? I have a Cub Scout group that would be interested in a presentation on Feb. 5th 2008.
Denny E
Hi, Denny. Yes, absolutely there are ambassadors in Iowa, although none in Des Moines per se. You can see a list of Iowa ambassadors here:
Iowa JPL Ambassadors
For ambassadors in all the states, check here:
JPL Solar System Ambassadors
Larry Sessions
Denver