STUDENTS LEARN OF CAREERS IN SPACE NASA WORKERS INSPIRE DREAMS.

Byline: Daily News

EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE - Daydreams of flight gained a sharper focus recently as Edwards Middle School students learned about aerospace careers during the school's recent Career Day.

Several employees from NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center, on the grounds of Edwards Air Force Base, talked about their jobs to students, encouraging them to consider aerospace careers - and to work hard in school.

Students paid rapt attention as rocket scientist Trong Bui told of his research work on several projects at NASA Dryden, including his investigation of aerospike rocket engine nozzles.

Engineer Jessica Lux-Baumann detailed her job of setting up Dryden's mission control rooms for research flights like the two successful X-43A scramjet flights in 2004.

The visual arts were in focus as NASA Dryden's lead photographer, Jim Ross, spoke of the possibilities in his specialty, aerial photography. While a volunteer student donned a flight suit and helmet, Ross explained difficulties encountered in trying to hold a camera up to the eye to photograph NASA's advanced aircraft during research missions while wearing such gear in the back seat of a high-performance jet.

Students eagerly asked questions after each presentation.

Career days are designed to encourage students to consider and work toward the many future possibilities in the workaday world. Edwards Middle School is a NASA Explorer School and was recently named a California Distinguished School.