Author
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Topic: San Diego Air & Space: Education Director
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Robert Pearlman Editor Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 05-23-2007 04:40 PM
San Diego Air & Space Museum release New Air & Space Museum Education DirectorA Perfect Match For Renewed Emphasis On Science, Technology, Engineering And Mathematics (STEM) Academics For Young People Francis French commits to the San Diego Air & Space Museum as its new Education Director. French joins the Museum team after serving the last three years as Director of Special Events for Sally Ride Science. It was there, he managed the nationally renowned "Sally Ride Toy Challenge" whose national finals were just staged at the San Diego Air & Space Museum. Before that, French was Education Programs Coordinator for the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center in San Diego. Says Museum President Jim Kidrick, "Francis is a perfect choice — he matches exactly our goals to expand our youth science and technology programs. Using aviation innovation as a metaphor for mankind's most significant scientific advances, Francis and his team will surely inspire our youth to become the most technology focused generations ever. In just the last 104 years, since the 1903 Wright Brothers first powered flight, man has accomplished more scientifically than in all history before that. It's important our young people understand the scientific innovation process." "I'm glad to be here," said Francis. "This is a real opportunity to position the San Diego Air & Space Museum as a regional and national leader in science and technology education. I'm anxious to get started...". A Fellow of the British Interplanetary Society and respected space historian, French is not new to the museum. He had served as a consultant on spaceflight history, written space history articles, serving on exhibition committees and consulted on potential traveling exhibits. French has co-authored two space history books as part of a series for the University of Nebraska Press, Into that Silent Sea: Trailblazers of the Space Era, 1961-1965 and In the Shadow of the Moon: A Challenging Journey to Tranquility 1965-1969. He has written numerous articles for the British magazine Spaceflight. French is a native of Great Britain and has a B.A. from the University of North London. His interest in space extends to having completed a training course at the US Space Academy in Huntsville, Ala. Congratulations Francis! |
polheiney Member Posts: 93 From: Hagerstown, MD, US Registered: Oct 2006
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posted 05-23-2007 05:57 PM
Congratulations! |
gliderpilotuk Member Posts: 3398 From: London, UK Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 05-24-2007 03:20 AM
Well done Francis - richly deserved. |
Scott Member Posts: 3307 From: Houston, TX Registered: May 2001
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posted 05-24-2007 06:07 AM
Congratulations, Francis! |
Matt T Member Posts: 1368 From: Chester, Cheshire, UK Registered: May 2001
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posted 05-24-2007 07:03 AM
Does this mean you're now getting paid to look at collectSPACE?Result!!! Congratulations Francis. |
space1 Member Posts: 853 From: Danville, Ohio Registered: Dec 2002
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posted 05-24-2007 09:18 AM
Congratulations! I'm sure you'll have lots of fun. |
MarylandSpace Member Posts: 1337 From: Registered: Aug 2002
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posted 05-24-2007 09:42 AM
Awesome and a great match. |
DavidH Member Posts: 1217 From: Huntsville, AL, USA Registered: Jun 2003
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posted 05-24-2007 09:51 AM
Congratulations! |
E2M Lem Man Member Posts: 846 From: Los Angeles CA. USA Registered: Jan 2005
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posted 05-24-2007 01:01 PM
That means I can finally say it aloud Ñ it couldn't have happened to a better bloke! Congrats pal! |
bruce Member Posts: 916 From: Fort Mill, SC, USA Registered: Aug 2000
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posted 05-24-2007 02:59 PM
Congratulations Francis! |
november25 Member Posts: 646 From: Douglas, Isle of Man, UK Registered: Feb 2004
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posted 05-24-2007 05:22 PM
Francis, many congratulations on your new post. Hope we can meet up again at KSC sometime? As you know my voice. Thanks for your company last year. |
Jake Member Posts: 464 From: Issaquah, WA U.S.A. Registered: Jun 2002
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posted 05-24-2007 05:45 PM
Sweeeeeeeeet.... Congratulations Francis...! |
Aztecdoug Member Posts: 1405 From: Huntington Beach Registered: Feb 2000
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posted 05-24-2007 06:48 PM
Francis, that is awesome! Congrats! |
MCroft04 Member Posts: 1634 From: Smithfield, Me, USA Registered: Mar 2005
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posted 05-24-2007 09:20 PM
I've only met Francis once but from what I know of him this is a great choice. Hope to see him there one day! Congratulations! |
ColinBurgess Member Posts: 2031 From: Sydney, Australia Registered: Sep 2003
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posted 05-25-2007 12:28 AM
I've known Francis for around 20 years now, since he was teenager living in England with a true passion for anything to do with space flight. It's been a great pleasure to observe as a friend his progress from enthusiast through to the eminent position he holds today at the museum, and because of his hard work, sincerity and integrity, the respect in which he is held throughout the space fraternity. I wish him and his wonderful wife Erin all the best in this new venture, and Francis - I look forward to seeing your new workplace personally when I visit in August. Oh, and before I forget, he's not a bad writer and all... |
Rob Joyner Member Posts: 1308 From: GA, USA Registered: Jan 2004
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posted 05-25-2007 12:48 AM
Congrats Francis! |
GACspaceguy Member Posts: 2476 From: Guyton, GA Registered: Jan 2006
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posted 05-25-2007 12:56 PM
SUPER!! Congratulations Francis! |
KC Stoever Member Posts: 1012 From: Denver, CO USA Registered: Oct 2002
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posted 05-25-2007 01:23 PM
And the kudos just keep coming. Congratulations on your new position, Francis, and to you and coauthor Colin Burgess on a parallel achievement. |
Steve Procter Member Posts: 1031 From: Leeds, Yorkshire, UK Registered: Oct 2000
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posted 05-25-2007 01:34 PM
Francis,All this, AND you get paid for it!! Nice work if you can get it... |
divemaster Member Posts: 1376 From: ridgefield, ct Registered: May 2002
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posted 05-25-2007 03:45 PM
It just goes to show you that affirmative action is working in San Diego. Congrats, buddy! |
FFrench Member Posts: 3161 From: San Diego Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 05-28-2007 07:55 PM
Thank you to everyone for those very kind words! I've had a very interesting and enjoyable couple of years working at Sally Ride Science (and encourage you to support their efforts), but this sounded like a new and interesting challenge. |
spacekid2 Member Posts: 199 From: San Diego, CA, USA Registered: Jul 2004
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posted 05-29-2007 12:28 AM
Francis,Congrats. I will look forward to saying hello this summer. My son and I love visiting the San Diego Air & Space Museum. |
eurospace Member Posts: 2610 From: Brussels, Belgium Registered: Dec 2000
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posted 06-01-2007 10:58 AM
I've known Francis for at least as long as Colin knew him, still back at Manchester. He drew the big one when he married Erin many years back, and moved to the States where he could be close and closer to the subject he was so enthusiastic about. What a rise - from a hobby to an outstanding professional. What is next then — the Smithsianian?My warmest congratulations and lots of fun and successes with the new challenge! |
Sy Liebergot Member Posts: 501 From: Pearland, Texas USA Registered: May 2003
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posted 06-01-2007 11:42 AM
Let me add my hearty congratulations to Director French! See you at the KSC "do." |
FFrench Member Posts: 3161 From: San Diego Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 06-11-2007 02:46 PM
Thanks Jürgen and Sy - and good to see you this weekend, Sy, that was fun! |