NASA-Themed Science Center Blasts Off in Beckley - Beckley, Bluefield & Lewisburg News, Weather, Sports

NASA-Themed Science Center Blasts Off in Beckley

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BECKLEY -

Students in Southern West Virginia will soon have an exciting new place to teach them concepts of science, math and engineering.

West Virginia State University will unveil the NASA Science, Engineering, Mathematics and Aerospace Academy (SEMAA) at its new permanent home in Beckley with a grand opening on April 24.

The program, which launched at WVSU last year, is a national project designed to increase participation and retention of underrepresented youth in science-related fields. The program is free to all interested youth through day-camp scenarios throughout the year.

SEMAA's permanent home in Beckley, called the Aerospace Educational Laboratory, is the second such facility in the state, making West Virginia the only state in the nation to currently have two AELs. SEMAA is a partnership with the NASA Office of Education and the National SEMAA Office at Paragon-TEC.

The Beckley location will be located at 201 Gray Flats Road. Fore more information, contact Dedriell Taylor, SEMAA Site Director, at (304) 380-2551.