Scientists holding bake sales, car washes for NASA

ORLANDO, Fla. – Scientists across the country -- including some in Central Florida -- will try to raise awareness about the proposed $300 million in budget cuts for NASA by holding bake sales and car washes.

The "Planetary Exploration Car Wash and Bake Sale" will happen on Saturday at nearly 20 places across the U.S. One car wash and bake sale will happen at the University of Central Florida.

Students, professors and scientists at the school will host the bake sale and car wash at the Chevron on East McCulloch Road -- next to campus. The event will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Donations at the UCF event will cover the costs of the bake sale and car wash and help NASA "fund future education outreach efforts."

The proposed $300 million in cuts will affect the planetary science division of NASA.

"We're not asking for more of the pie, we're asking for less of a bite out of the pie," said Laura Seward, a graduate research assistant at UCF. "A strong robotic planetary exploration program is essential for a strong human planetary exploration program."