Rick Soria, Hurlburt Aerospace Education member, has been named the 2009 recipient of the Alan Shepard Technology in Education Award. Given by the Astronauts Memorial Foundation (AMF), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and the Space Foundation, the award will be presented March 30 during the Opening Ceremony of the 25th National Space Symposium in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Soria was selected for his role in creating the Engineers for America (EFA) program, an innovative elementary school initiative that promotes science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education through hands-on flight, aviation and aerospace activities. The program has two major components: a two-day “Teach the Teacher” workshop that prepares teachers to use aviation-based resources and activities to integrate STEM into the classroom; and one-day “Reach the Student” events at the U.S. Air Force Armament Museum near Elgin Air Force Base which gives students a unique opportunity to conduct experiments in an interesting and inspiring venue.

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