Astronaut Inspires Students and Parents at Huntsville Space in the Community

The Space Foundation sent one of its education teams to Huntsville, Ala., this week to deliver a Space in the Community program to six schools there, funded by Lockheed Martin.

The Space in the Community activities included presentations by former NASA astronaut Lt. Col. Duane “Digger” Carey, USAF (Ret.), pictured right. Space Foundation educators led the students through space-based activities to support the students’ learning in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).

Almost every business in the future will be touched through space in some way, whether through exploration itself, or the transmission of data, Earth observation and disaster mitigation, the energy industry and aspects of the medical industry.

“We need young people, in all industries, to consider a STEM career,” said Bryan DeBates, Space Foundation Vice President – Education. “Often, when people think of space as a career they only think of astronauts and engineers. The reality is that we need welders, electricians, animators, writers, nutritionists, even fashion designers. There is a place for everyone in a space career if they choose what they love to do as a career.”

That was the message delivered to students at these Huntsville schools:

• Bob Jones High School
• Discovery Middle School
• Hampton Cove Elementary School
• Mae Jemison High School
• Ronald E. McNair Junior High School
• Monrovia Middle School

An important aspect of the Space Foundation’s Space in the Community program is community involvement. Last night, more than 700 people attended a Lockheed Martin-funded community night at Huntsville’s U.S. Space & Rocket Center, the public-outreach portion of the Space Foundation’s Space in the Community program. The community night gave parents the opportunity to share in some of the activities and learning their children had experienced during the school program.

The final component of the Space in the Community in Huntsville will take place tomorrow, with a teacher professional development day led by Space Foundation educators. The workshop will provide Huntsville teachers with hands-on STEM activities they can easily deliver in the classroom.

Lockheed Martin has been a part of the Huntsville community for over five decades and is committed to developing a strong talent pipeline in the area. With an ever-changing industry, the company is committed to working with educators, policy makers and families to develop programs that educate and inspire tomorrow’s scientists, engineers and mathematicians.

Find out how to schedule a Space in the Community in your community here. And learn more about Lockheed Martin’s support of STEM education here.