Winner selected from about 450 entries, student wins grand-prize trip to
Space Camp
CHICAGO, May 15 /PRNewswire/ -- ComEd and the Adler Planetarium today
announced eighth grader Matthew Rasmussen as the grand-prize winner in the
second annual Shoot for the Moon essay contest. Rasmussen's winning essay
was selected from more than 450 entries, and received a perfect score from
astronaut and contest judge, Captain James A. Lovell, Jr. Rasmussen,
home-schooled in Grayslake, Ill., will spend a week at Space Camp in
Alabama this summer courtesy of ComEd.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080515/AQTH535)
The essay contest is an extension of ComEd's sponsorship of the Adler's
permanent exhibition, Shoot for the Moon Powered by ComEd, which features
the Gemini 12 spacecraft and tells the thrilling stories of American space
exploration. Through this program, ComEd is encouraging eighth-grade
students throughout its service territory to consider the variety of jobs
it takes to complete a space mission, and about how their lessons in
science classes and everyday life would help them with a career in space
exploration.
"The Shoot for the Moon essay contest is a great opportunity to develop
math and science literacy among young students," said Frank M. Clark, ComEd
chairman and CEO. "At ComEd, our goal through this program is to encourage
an interest in science and technology careers. Matthew's essay was
exceptional. He has a great future ahead of him."
Clark also serves on the board at the Adler Planetarium.
In addition to Rasmussen's grand-prize-winning essay, the following
eighth-grade students won first and second runner-up in the contest:
-- First Runner-Up: Gena Lenti, St. Viator in Chicago, will receive free
attendance at the Adler's summer camp.
-- Second Runner-Up: Marcellus Jones, St. Angela in Chicago, will receive
a VIP party at the Adler for 10 people.
The grand-prize winner and the two runners-up also will win family
memberships to the Adler Planetarium.
"Space exploration is dramatically different than when NASA was first
established 50 years ago, but the inspiration is still the same. To dream
big and go where no one has gone before," said Dr. Paul H. Knappenberger
Jr., PhD, Adler Planetarium president. "This contest is a great tool to
encourage kids to imagine their role in future space exploration and to
learn about the many diverse job opportunities in space science. With
today's technology, the opportunities are endless, and we are grateful to
ComEd for sponsoring this contest and helping so many young people get
excited about space exploration."
The winning essays were selected by a panel of judges, including
Lovell, Clark, Knappenberger, State Senator Kimberly A. Lightford,
chairperson of the Illinois Senate Committee on Education; Lula Ford,
Illinois Commerce Commission commissioner; Tamara L. O'Shaughnessy, editor
of Chicago Parent magazine; LeAnn Trotter, reporter at NBC 5; Stella
Foster, columnist at the Chicago Sun-Times; and Kayla Ladner, who won the
essay contest last year as an eighth-grade student at St. Angela and is
currently a freshman at St. Joseph High School in Westchester.
Following is Matthew Rasmussen's winning essay:
Throughout my life, I have learned many things, and had many
experiences. Some of these would be applicable to a career in space
exploration. This year in particular, I am learning two subjects that are
especially useful: geometry and chemistry. I am also participating in
Science Olympiad.
I have learned about thermodynamics. Thermodynamics could be useful in
calculating different heats, like whether or not a shuttle's heat resistant
tiles would melt, or if a space station would become too cold.
In geometry, I am learning about trigonometry, which would be very
useful for trajectories and other paths. The ancient Greeks used
transversals of parallels to find the size of the Earth, and cosine to
discover the distances to the sun and moon. A strong ability in math is
critical in the space program.
Over the last few years I have been active in Science Olympiad. I have
studied topographic maps, useful for mapping the moon or a planet. I have
also competed in biology. Measuring weights and measures, and interpreting
graphs and data would be useful for experiments in space, and knowledge of
human nutrition needs can help in maintaining the health of astronauts in
space.
Commonwealth Edison Company (ComEd) is a unit of Chicago-based Exelon
Corporation (NYSE: EXC), one of the nation's largest electric utilities
with approximately 5.4 million customers. ComEd provides service to
approximately 3.8 million customers across Northern Illinois, or 70 percent
of the state's population.
The Adler Planetarium & Astronomy Museum -- America's First Planetarium
-- was founded in 1930 by Chicago business leader Max Adler. The museum has
announced a new vision to be the world's leading space science center. The
museum will inspire the next generation of explorers by sharing the stories
of human space exploration and America's space heroes. The Adler is a
recognized leader in science education, with a focus on inspiring young
people, particularly women and minorities, to pursue careers in science.
SOURCE ComEd
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Photo Notes:http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080515/AQTH535
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
CONTACT:
Pam Anton, ComEd Media Relations,
+1-312-394-3500
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