PR2011 Nov 10

NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 10, 2011

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Doug Perry 205.391.3988

dperry@sheltonstate.edu

Four SSCC Students Awarded Grants From the Alabama Space Grant Consortium

Tuscaloosa – Four students from Shelton State Community College have been selected as recipients of $1500.00 grants from the Alabama Space Grant Consortium (ASGC) to participate in a yearlong research project in conjunction with the University of Alabama.

Chosen to participate are Mark Amason, a freshman from Northport, Alabama, majoring in chemical engineering; Justin Baker, a freshman from Buhl, Alabama, majoring in electrical engineering; Blake Dobbs, a sophomore from Tuscaloosa, Alabama, majoring in aerospace engineering; and Dalen Mullenix, a freshman from Gordo, Alabama, majoring in electrical engineering.

Mark Amason and Blake Dobbs are working on a blimp flight project. The pair will be experimenting with various payloads and using data collecting cameras and computers on board the blimp. They will also explore the possibilities for using blimps on search and rescue missions.

Justin Baker and Dalen Mullenix are working on a Lunabotics project. They will be designing and building a remote controlled vehicle which can be used for excavation on the surface of the moon. The Lunabotics team will compete with university students from across the country at the Kennedy Space Center in May of 2012.

All four students will document their research and make a presentation on their projects to Shelton State students and faculty at the end of the spring 2012 semester.

The Alabama Space Grant Consortium is part of The National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program, established by Congress in 1988 and administered by NASA. Shelton State Community College is one of only two community colleges in the state to become a member of the Alabama Space Grant Consortium and is headed by Renea Randle.

The Space Grant Program contributes to the nation's science and engineering enterprise by implementing a portfolio of programs in research, education, and public service projects through a national network of 52 university-based state Space Grant consortia. Nationally, the Space Grant network has 987 affiliate members from academia, industry, state and federal government agencies, and nonprofit institutions.

For additional information, contact Renea Randle at rrandle@sheltonstate.edu or visit the college Web site at sheltonstate.edu.

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Photo Identification:

(Front row, Left to Right): Dalen Mullenix, Mark Amason

(Back row, Left to Right): Justin Baker, Blake Dobbs