Space Day, a program designed to interest children in science and outer space studies, co-sponsored by NASA and Lockheed Martin, has been held in West Islip's six elementary schools. Organized by high potential teacher Judith Schwartz and her students, the local event invited all students in the buildings to sign large Space Day posters provided by Lockheed Martins, that will be included in an upcoming shuttle mission, offering the youngsters personal involvement with the crew and their mission.

Schools participating in this year's Space Day 2007 were selected by NASA and the West Islip children are very excited. Their signatures are expected to be part of a mission in the fall when school is back in session. Westbrook Elementary School Principal Jack Maniscalco is also an Air Force technical sergeant on the Space Shuttle Rescue Launch and Recovery Team and hopes to participate personally with the mission carrying his students' names.

Every student who signed a poster this week received a certificate validating that their signature is "out there." Upon the mission's completion, the posters will be returned for permanent display, along with a flight certificate and photo of the crew.

Shown in the above photo, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Beth Virginia Blau adds her signature to the Space Day poster scheduled to be part of a NASA shuttle mission.

Shown left in the photo, Bayview Elementary School students sign a Space Day poster as part of the Signatures in Space project sponsored by NASA and Lockheed Martin.

Shown in the above photo, High Potential teacher Judith Schwartz and her Bayview fourth and fifth graders organized the Signatures in Space project that will provide a Space Day poster from all six elementary schools in West Islip to participate in an upcoming shuttle mission.