The Lake Washington Schools Foundation has announced that former Shuttle Astronaut George “Pinky” Nelson will deliver the keynote address at its fourth annual fundraising luncheon, “A Legacy for Learning,” at 11 a.m. May 13 at Juanita High School. The lunch is complimentary, but a donation of $150 will be requested to support the LWSF, which in turn provides grants for educational programs and materials that are not covered by regular funding.
“Dr. Nelson’s illustrious career as a mission specialist has just earned him a spot in the Astronaut Hall of Fame,” said Foundation President Scott Harlan. “But he is also recognized for his equally outstanding mission on the ground—which is to improve the way science is taught in schools.
“One of the Foundation’s main objectives is just that: to actively support science education in our schools,” Harlan continued. “For the past 20 years he has worked tirelessly in this area and has a wealth of experience to share. It promises to be a very inspiring luncheon.”
As an astronaut, Nelson orbited the planet 274 times. He was the first astronaut to repair a satellite in orbit and flew on three Space Shuttle launches, including the missions immediately before and after the Challenger disaster. After leaving the astronaut corps, he joined NASA’s task force that oversaw the repair missions for the Hubble Space Telescope.
He left NASA in 1989 and now directs the Science, Mathematics and Technology Education program at Western Washington University in Bellingham. He has led the work of the North Cascades and Olympics Science Partnership, a joint effort between WWU, local community colleges and 28 school districts to improve the way science is taught in Washington schools.
Support for the Lake Washington Schools Foundation comes from a broad base of individual donors, business donors, corporate and community partners. Established in 2005, the Foundation helps our community directly and efficiently invest in classroom learning.
Registration for the luncheon begins at 11 a.m., followed by lunch and program from 12-1 p.m. For reservations and information, visit www.lwsf.org, or contact Carolyn Vaché, Legacy for Learning Luncheon Chair, dvache@verizon.net.
