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| Vol. 17, No. 3 | Sept. 18, 1997 |
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| Vol. 17, No. 3 | Sept. 18, 1997 |
Delaware Technical and Community College is the latest institution and the first community college to become a member of the Delaware Space Grant College Consortium (DESGC), according to Norman Ness, president of the Bartol Research Institute at the University of Delaware.
Samuel A. Guccione, chairperson of electronics/computer engineering technologies and physics on the Del Tech Terry campus, is serving as the official liaison to the consortium and has been an active supporter of the DESGC's K-12 Outreach Program and Rockets for School Program.
Since 1989, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has funded programs in the 50 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico. DESGC was established in 1991 to administer the NASA Delaware Space Grant Program. Its goal is to enhance the future development of the nation in space science and technology.
As the lead institution, the Bartol Research Institute receives an annual grant from NASA for programs supporting space research, education, outreach, scholarships, fellowships and special programs. NASA support is matched by contributions from members and affiliates.
"We were pleased that Del Tech, which has an enrollment of 35,000 students on its four campuses, responded in a timely way to an invitation to join the Delaware Space Grant College Consortium," Ness said. "This connection between Delaware educational institutions will be mutually beneficial as Sam already has been involved in our programs and has helped promote space science education."
"I am looking forward to working closely with the University of Delaware and other schools throughout the consortium. Membership will provide research opportunities for our students and opportunities to promote space education throughout the schools in the state," Guccione said.
Guccione has worked closely with Stephanie Wright, the UD alumna who is involved in the K-12 Outreach Program, and the Science Alliance, which promotes science education in secondary schools.
"Sam has been very helpful in holding workshops for teachers at Del Tech, making facilities and equipment available to us, making presentations and assisting us with our rocket building programs," Wright said.
Wright also runs the Delaware Aerospace Academy, a residential program for junior high and high school students that is held each summer on the Newark campus.
Both Wright and Guccione were involved in Delaware's first sub-orbital rocket launch at Cape Helopen State Park on May 11.
The program also featured model rocket, bottle rocket and miniature hot air and scientific balloon launches and kite demonstrations. A total of 629 students from Delaware participated.
Delaware State University is also a member of the consortium. Pennsylvania member schools include Franklin and Marshall College, Swathmore and Gettysburg colleges, Lehigh, Lincoln, and Villanova universities and the University of Pennsylvania.
-Sue Swyers Moncure
Photo by Duane Perry
