The South Dakota Space Grant Consortium and SD Discovery Center are co-sponsoring SOUTH DAKOTA SPACE DAY on April 24, 1998. The purpose is to increase public awareness of aerospace/aeronautical activities in South Dakota educational institutions, businesses and industries, and in local, state and federal government.

The Honorable William Janklow, Governor of South Dakota, has proclaimed April 24, 1998 as SOUTH DAKOTA SPACE DAY.

Headquarters for Space Day activities is the South Dakota Discovery Center & Aquarium, Pierre, SD.

Lt. Col. (ret.) Charles "Sam" Gemar, NASA Astronaut will be the keynote speaker, 1:00 p.m., Riggs High School Auditorium, Pierre. Gemar will narrate a slide presentation about his Astronaut experiences.

Featured speaker in the Pierre area schools is D. David Weston, Director Equal Opportunity and Diversity Management Office, NASA Headquarters, Washington, DC. Weston will speak to students in area schools on Thursday, April 23 and at the Discovery Center on April 24.

Institutions of higher education, industry, and government in the State have been invited to participate. Displays will be set up in the Discovery Center. These will include educational programs in aerospace/aeronautical-related studies such as remote sensing, computers, satellites, planetary geology, life sciences, astronomy, engineering, human services for living and working in Space; aerospace industries such as mapping, remote sensing, balloons, aircraft, and government agencies such as the EROS Data Center, National Guard, US Air Force.

All K-12 students and teachers in the State have been invited to attend.

Members of the SD Space Grant Consortium (SDSGC) are: SD School of Mines & Technology, SD State University, Augustana College, EROS Data Center; Educational Affiliates: SD Discovery Center & Aquarium, Scientific Knowledge for Indian Learning & Leadership (SKILL); Science linkages in the Community (SLIC); Teaching SMART, A program of Girls Inc, Rapid City; Industrial Affiliates: Horizon's Inc., Hughes STX, Raven Industries, Inc.

Linda B. Allen, Outreach Coordinator/General Chair, SD Space Day, SDSGC/SDSM&T, 501 E. St. Joseph, Rapid City, SD 57701, 605-394-1975; Internet: lallen@silver.sdsmt.edu