TSM Kid Wins Scholarship to Space Endeavour Camp!

9 year-old Imanee Magee, pilots a private plane over "Magic Mountain" amusement park near Los Angeles.

Imanee MaGee was definitely ready for her Hollywood close-up. TSM prepped her by introducing her to her first bowl of Matzah Ball soup at Cantor’s!

Last August, Traveling Space Museum sent an 8-year-old student to Kennedy Space Camp in Florida for the very first time. That student was Imanee MaGee, a Katrina evacuee who we met while making Space Day appearances in New Orleans last year. This amazing kid escaped Hurricane Katrina with only the clothes on her back –yet she maintained a straight "A" average while moving 5 times and attending 3 schools in 2 years! Little Imanee asked if TSM could help her with her career goals. She stated her intention to become an astronaut – only after winning on American Idol! TSM thought that she’d make an excellent TSM Protege —someone who could inspire other kids her age!

TSM moved quickly to sponsor her tuition at Kennedy Space Camp. Additional support would also come from Rotary Clubs in District 5260 (San Fernando Valley Ca.) and the many "Friends of TSM."

Now officially a "TSM Protege," 9 year-old Imanee became the first out-of state recipient of a scholarship to Space Endeavour Camp located on the grounds of Vandenberg Air Force Base in Santa Barbara County. Arriving at Camp on June 15, 2008, Imanee immediately went to building rovers, rockets and telescopes. She even received a private tour of Vandenberg Air Force Base.

Imanee negotiates Endeavour’s multi-axis simulation.

Viewing the heavens with Endeavour Center’s 16– inch telescope.

After Camp, one of Imanee’s biggest dreams came true when she arrived in Hollywood, California. Once on the ground, she attended a Hollywood party at Mel’s Drive-In on the Sunset Strip hosted by Nickelodeon teen TV star Aria Wallace. She then attended a private movie screening of "Roxy Hunter and the Myth of the Mermaid" starring Ms. Wallace. Imanee squeezed in a quick first swim in the Pacific Ocean and finished her LA trip touring Disney and Universal Studios (in a golf cart!) Imanee also received a free flying lesson from Ms. Ceci Stratford, a certified flight instructor and a member of the famed female flying club the "99’s".

Imanee also gave talks to 4 different San Fernando Valley Rotary clubs to say "thank you" to her many new friends in California.

Next year, TSM hopes to have Imanee and company conquering Houston and the Johnson Space Center!

Imanee and TSM’s Ivor Dawson touring Universal Studios in style.

At Vandenberg AFB, Imanee learns how to diagnose U.S. satellites in orbit.

Last year, Imanee drew a line in the sand at Cocoa Beach!