U.S. Rep. Schiff, NASA astronaut to visit Armenian school in Glendale

PanARMENIAN.Net - U.S. Rep. Adam Schiff (CA-29) and NASA astronaut Gregory Chamitoff will visit the Vahan and Anoush Chamlian Armenian School on Friday, January 13, 2012. While at the school, Dr. Chamitoff will speak to an assembly of approximately 300 students ranging from 4th to 8th grades.

“There is something magical that happens when students get to interact with astronauts,” said Schiff, who has sponsored other astronaut visits to area schools. “The kids are inspired and they are better able to understand the critical importance of math and science, subjects where American students lag behind those in other countries.”

Schiff serves on the House Appropriations Committee’s Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies (including jurisdiction over NASA’s budget).

Dr. Chamitoff flew to the International Space Station on STS-124, launching on May 31 2008. He was in space 198 days and returned to Earth on November 30, 2008 on STS-126. Chamitoff also served as a mission specialist on the STS-134 mission. A member of the California Astronaut Hall of Fame, he holds a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from California Polytechnic State University, an M.S. in Aeronautical Engineering from Caltech, and a Ph.D. in Aeronautics and Astronautics from MIT.