Astronaut Drops In

On Thursday 18 January 2007, the pupils from a number of Birmingham School’s will have a unique opportunity to meet a truly inspiring, modern day hero when Major General Charles Bolden, a US astronaut, visits Birmingham.

General Bolden grew up in the heart of the segregated Deep South of the US during the Civil Rights movement. He was one of the first African-Americans to enter the US Naval Academy. He joined the US Marine Corps as a Naval Aviator, flew more than 100 combat missions in Vietnam and became a test pilot.

In 1980, he joined NASA as one of the first African-American astronauts and flew in space four times, including the mission that launched the Hubble Space Telescope. On two occasions, he was the mission Commander.

Only 450 people have ever been into space. General Bolden is therefore part of an elite group. He is undertaking a very limited tour, visiting only 3 cities in the UK.

The visit has been organized by Birmingham’s’ City Learning Centre’s CLC’s.

Schedule for the day

10am Guest Lecture & presentation to pupils from North Birmingham Schools Hosted by Great Barr School.

11.20 Available for Photographs/ Interview at Great Barr School

11.45 Visit to Stockland Green CLC

1pm Guest Lecture & presentation to pupils from the South Birmingham Schools hosted by Kings Heath Boys’ school.

3pm Visit to Kings Norton CLC, available for interviews and photographs.

General Bolden is marking the 50th anniversary of spaceflight and the two hundredth anniversary of the abolition of slavery in the British Empire. Mr James Jordan, who is Head of the City Learning Centre at Stockland Green, says, “We hope that our pupils will realize from General Bolden’s example that through hard work and determination, they can overcome any obstacle that might be put in their way to achieving their goals. They, like General Bolden, can be a shining light for others to follow.”

He provides a truly inspirational role model and personifies how young people can overcome racial prejudice and social deprivation to fulfil their dreams and ambitions. He will also motivate our girls and boys to consider careers and courses in maths, engineering and science and show them what cool jobs and lifestyles can be achieved.

Welcome

Welcome to our new CLC Blog. We will be regularly updating this with news about the centre, events that are happening at the centre as well as comments on the days activities that have been running.
We hope this will help our clients to see the kind of things we can offer and also to keep you all informed more regularly than our newsletters.

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