Do you constantly look up at the stars and wonder what it is like to be in space? Have you ever wanted to meet an Astronaut? Do you love science and technology? Are you a high school student who wants to learn about and explore the fields of Space, or Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM)?

Higher Orbits is pleased to announce an upcoming Go For Launch! event at the San Diego Air & Space Museum on August 22-24, 2016 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. Go For Launch! is presented by Higher Orbits, a non-profit organization committed to inspiring kids of all ages using mankind’s journey into space. Go For Launch! offers students a truly unique experience, designed to launch student involvement in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM), as well as teamwork, communication and leadership.

Over the course of the three-day Go For Launch! experience, students will be immersed in the wonder of spaceflight through talks and hands-on activities. The cost to sign up is $250 per student, which includes all the necessary supplies, snacks and meals during the event.

Presenting in San Diego will be former NASA Astronaut Don Thomas, a veteran of four space shuttle missions with over 1,040 hours in space; Michelle Lucas, former flight controller and Astronaut Instructor; Francis French, space author and Director of Education at the San Diego Air & Space Museum; Sarah Stuck, animal keeper for Nurtured by Nature and Engineer at Pharmatek Laboratories; and Shalene Baxter, Educational Specialist at San Diego Air & Space Museum.

“If we are ever going to send humans to Mars and other deep space destinations in the decades ahead, we will need a strong workforce skilled in STEM disciplines,” said Astronaut (Retired) Don Thomas. “Through excellent programs like Go For LAUNCH! provided by Higher Orbits, we are working to excite and inspire young students today to reach for the stars and pursue careers in STEM.”

In addition to exciting space and STEM presentations with collaborative team building activities, the participants of Go For Launch! will define and design a space experiment. They will present their ideas to a panel of Space and STEM judges for a chance to have their experiment launched into space.

“Space is an exciting topic and being able to talk about it in such a recognizable venue as the San Diego Air & Space Museum is amazing,” said Michelle Lucas, Founder of Higher Orbits. “I’m excited to be able to bring the Go For Launch! program to students in San Diego. Space inspires and I can’t wait to share that message with the students.”

Go For Launch! San Diego is possible, in part, thanks to the generous support of the San Diego Air & Space Museum. Higher Orbits is supported by Intergalactic Sponsors Space Tango, Kentucky Space, and eddi who help make all Go For Launch! events possible. If you are interested in sponsoring Go For Launch!, sponsorship levels are available starting at $100. In-kind sponsorships are available as well.

“Here at the San Diego Air & Space Museum we are always excited about providing personal interactions and hands-on experiences for young people, particularly on STEM-related subjects. We are excited to be partnering with Higher Orbits to offer some unique experiences to our local audiences,” said Francis French, Director of Education at the San Diego Air & Space Museum.

For more information about Go For Launch!, to register for the San Diego event, or if you are interested in becoming a sponsor, please visit www.GoForLaunch.space, email GoForLaunch@HigherOrbits.org, or call (707) 893-STAR.