Dr. Jacob Cohen, NASA

iLEAD Schools, a network of free, public charter schools across California and the Midwest, will host its “Mission 2018 – DreamUp to Space!” Space & Innovation Expo featuring student aerospace projects on March 2 at College of the Canyons’ Valencia campus.

Free and open to the public, the event will be presented in partnership with College of the Canyons Makerspace and DreamUp, a company providing space-based education to students and entrepreneurs.

The event’s keynote speaker, Dr. Jacob Cohen, Chief Scientist of NASA Ames Research Center, will discuss NASA’s role in the future of space exploration.

Students from iLEAD Schools campuses across Los Angeles County – including Santa Clarita, Lancaster, Encino, Antelope Valley, and Pacoima – will present their ideas for space experiments that could be run on the International Space Station.

The expo will also feature a showcase of students’ mission patch artwork and offer interactive, hands-on “making” opportunities, including creating laser-engraved name tags, space crafts, and an LED blinkie.

The Space & Innovation Expo underscores iLEAD’s commitment to engage students in project-based and deeper learning experiences and to further their understanding of STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art & design, and mathematics), according to Kathleen Fredette, director of STEAM Initiatives for iLEAD Schools.

For the last several years, under Fredette’s guidance, iLEAD students have learned to fly glider aircraft, developed and sent experiments to the International Space Station, and worked on scientific projects alongside NASA scientists.

“At iLEAD, we’re dedicated to allowing students to investigate, actively explore, and respond to authentic and complex questions,” Fredette said. “The types of STEAM projects we’re doing go so far beyond what you’d learn in a traditional textbook – our kids are actively collaborating and hypothesizing to create real solutions to real problems. Our Space & Innovation Expo will be a fantastic celebration of their learning over the past semester, and we look forward to welcoming our students and families from all over Los Angeles County to this inspiring event.”

The COC Cafeteria and Makerspace is located at 26455 Rockwell Canyon Road, Valencia 91355.

To register, [click here.]

Dr. Jacob Cohen, NASA