MOSI Honors National Hispanic Scientist Of The Year

September 18, 2002

TAMPA, Fla. - The MOSI science center, Tampa, FL, initiated a national award in 2001 to recognize outstanding national Hispanic scientists who promote a greater public understanding of science and motivate Hispanic youths' interest in science. The recipient of this award in its second year is NASA Astronaut Fernando (Frank) Caldeiro.

The award will be presented to Caldeiro at a ceremony and banquet Oct. 19 in Tampa.

"Because we are celebrating the 10th anniversary of The Saunders Planetarium at MOSI, and because October is also the date of International Space Week, we were particularly interested in Hispanic contributions to the Space Age. Caldeiro was a perfect choice," said MOSI President Wit Ostrenko.

Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Frank Caldeiro considers Merritt Island, FL, to be his hometown. He graduated from W.C. Bryant High School, Long Island City, New York, in 1976 and received an associate degree in applied science in Aerospace Technology from the State University of New York at Framingdale.

He went on to secure a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Arizona and also a Master of Science degree in engineering management from the University of Central Florida.

From 1985-1988, Caldeiro worked as a test director during the production and flight test of the Rockwell/USAF B-1B Bomber and was then transferred by Rockwell to the Kennedy Space Center as a space shuttle main propulsion system specialist. NASA hired him in 1991 as a cryogenics and propulsion systems expert for the safety and mission assurance office. NASA selected him as an astronaut candidate in 1996.

President Bush recently nominated him to serve on the President's Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans.

"These individuals are distinguished role models whose leadership and commitment will help us meet the challenge of leaving no child behind," said U.S. Secretary of Education Rod Paige. "Ensuring that every child has an opportunity to excel academically so they may live their own American dream is a fundamental right in this country. I look forward to working with these new members and the entire commission to make this vision a reality."

Caldeiro will touch the lives of almost 1,000 students during his visit to Tampa for the Award Gala. He will conduct programs for children during the day prior to the Award Gala.

The proceeds of MOSI's National Hispanic Scientist of the Year Award Gala will fund scholarships that will employ Hispanic boys and girls in MOSI's Youth Enriched by Science (YES! Team) program. This program offers young people in grades 7 - 12, as well as in college, an opportunity to participate in a tiered-mentoring, career-ladder, educational enrichment and vocational training program.