MOHAWK, N.Y. -- Students from 16 Mohawk Valley-area schools are hoping to get the attention of NASA.

Their signatures make up a massive banner that was presented on Tuesday at the Gregory B. Jarvis Middle School in Mohawk.

They want artifacts of Gregory B. Jarvis, an astronaut from Herkimer County, who was part of the crew onboard the "Challenger," to be displayed in the Herkimer County Office Building.

Jarvis died in the space shuttle's explosion in 1986.

"He really chased his dreams and did what he wanted to do and didn't let obstacles get in his way, and that with him being our hero, having a small part of him would be really cool for everyone," said Gregory B. Jarvis Middle School Student Madison Obreza.

Local lawmakers will also be sending letters of support to NASA.