<p>Ten words broadcast around the world would echo through all of human history.</p><p>Neil Armstrong emerged from the lunar module on July 20, 1969 and uttered his famous phrase, "One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind." People around the globe watched, marveling at the fact that humankind had successfully flown to the moon.</p><p>Fifty years later, the feat is still astounding.</p><p>To recognize the monumental achievement of the Apollo 11 mission, organizations around Johnson County and central Indiana will be hosting special events and revisiting the moon landing. Here from a retired aerospace technologist about the intricacies of the Apollo missions and how the space program has changed over time.</p>[sc:text-divider text-divider-title="Story continues below gallery" ]<p>Design your own rocket and check out authentic moon rocks at the Indiana State Museum, or discover the science behind Armstrong’s first step on the moon at the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis.</p><p>Purdue University, known as the "cradle of astronauts" and the school Armstrong graduated from, will host a multi-day extravanganza recognizing the landing.</p><p><span>NASA’s Apollo Program &amp; Beyond</span></p><p>Details: 1 p.m. Saturday, Greenwood Public Library, 310 S. Meridian St.; free</p><p>What: Randall Harris spent 34 years working as an aerospace technician, working with NASA researching lunar landing, flight physiology, manned flight simulators and flight display systems. His experience gave him firsthand knowledge of the development of the U.S. space program, as well as intimate knowledge of the Apollo missions.</p><p>Now, the local resident and Purdue graduate will share his knowledge to tell the story of how the U.S. surged ahead in the space race. Hear about not only how the Apollo 11 mission and efforts to get a manned flight to the moon, but how the space program shifted and changed in years following. A question-and-answer session will follow Harris’ presentation, which is open to all ages.</p><p>Information: greenwoodlibrary.us</p><p><span>Apollo 11 50th Anniversary</span></p><p>Details: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, 3300 N. Meridian St.; included with museum admission</p><p>What: Museum science experts and representatives from the Indiana Astronomy Society will be on hand to help families explore the moon landing and other subjects related to space exploration. Learn about the similarities between living in space and on earth, discover how Armstrong’s famous footprint is still intact on the moon’s surface and hear from Eli Lilly scientists about how they study the freeze-drying process about the International Space Station.</p><p>IndianaFIRST, a program dedicated to robotics, will have their robots on display, and the Indiana Astronomy Society will have information on different types of telescopes. People are encouraged to wear their best space-themed gear for the program.</p><p>Information: childrensmuseum.org</p><p><span>Family Discovery Days: Apollo 11</span></p><p>Details: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Indiana State Museum, 650 W. Washington St., Indianapolis; included with museum admission</p><p>What: As part of the museum’s Family Discovery Day program, adults and children are invited to come discover more about the Apollo 11 mission. People can design their own rockets, then launch the aircraft into the air. Programs will be held to help people learn how to land spacecraft, as well as exploring the geology of the moon.</p><p>The Indiana State Museum’s collection of moon rocks will be prominently featured, and local experts will share what the coming years holds in store for space exploration.</p><p>Information: indianamuseum.org</p><p><span>Purdue University Apollo 11 50th Anniversary</span></p><p>Details: Today through Saturday, Purdue University</p><p>The epicenter of all Apollo 11-related celebration is at Purdue this weekend, which makes sense considering it is the alma mater of the first man to step on the moon and many other famous astronauts. Over the course of the next three days, people can take part in a wide array of activities and entertainment all focused around the moon landing.</p><p>Read Neil Armstrong’s own writings and papers about the Apollo 11 mission taken from his archive on Purdue’s campus. Watch "Armstrong," a new documentary film about the astronaut using home videos shot by the man himself and unseen footage from NASA. Science and engineering activities will be held throughout the day Saturday for young learners, and a celebration will be held to recognize the exact time — 4:17 p.m. — that the lunar module landed.</p><p>A full schedule of events is available at Purdue’s special Apollo 11 website.</p><p>Information: <a href="http://purdue.edu/apollo11">purdue.edu/apollo11</a></p>
