Former astronaut joins Indy children's museum

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — A former astronaut and scientist from Indianapolis is joining the staff of that city's Children's Museum.

The museum announced Thursday that Dr. David Wolf is becoming its first extraordinary scientist-in-residence.

Besides flying on the space shuttle, Wolf is a physician, electrical engineer, and inventor who has received 17 U.S. patents and published more than 40 technical publications. In his new position, Wolf will help the museum staff and its partners develop new programs designed to inspire youth.

Families and children will be able to conduct hands-on experiments modeled after experiments on the International Space Station. New programs dealing with cell growth, electronics, the impact of zero gravity and how GPS navigation works also will be developed.