Porter Ridge students part of space mission

INDIAN TRAIL — As part of their focus on learning the language of science this semester, sixth- through 12th-grade students enrolled in Porter Ridge Middle and High schools English as a Second Language classes have been studying the NASA Mars missions.

Students used the Internet to contact the aeronautics engineering team designing the robotic probe scheduled to blast off for Mars this month.

In response to their inquiries, the Mars Science Laboratory has encoded each student’s name on a microchip that will be carried by the mission rover to the planet’s surface.

When the spacecraft arrives on Mars in 2011, these names will be “planted” in the alien soil.

South Providence to have open house

WAXHAW — South Providence School will have an open house on Oct. 14 at 6:30 p.m. This will be an opportunity for students, parents/guardians, staff and friends of South Providence to meet, get to know each other, look over the new report cards, set new directions. For information, call 704-290-1580.