Inspiring the Next Generation - A Day at Goddard

Astronaut Leland Melvin signs autograph

On April 24, employees brought their children to Goddard for a day of inspiring young minds in Earth and space science, engineering, technology, administration and support. The day began with a welcome from Ron Erwin, chairman of Inspire the Next Generation at Work Day, which was followed by a slide presentation from Leland Melvin, NASA Astronaut. Melvin emphasized the importance of continuing school and explained why there is a demand for students to be educated in math and science. He held the attention of the young participants by engaging them to respond to questions and enlightening them on how NASA technology has helped with the development of various items that we use today, from pace makers to LCD screens and joysticks, that are used for video games.

	Goddard employee assisting student with using tool that was once used to service the Hubble Space Telescope.

Approximately 400 participants ranging from grades 3 - 12 ventured to the 24 various activities that either informed them of the daily operations at Goddard or engaged them in hands-on experiments that encouraged exploration. Some engaging activities included, the Egg Drop where students were teamed to create a protective structure that symbolically represented a spacecraft for the figurative instrument, an egg. The eggs were then dropped and the unbroken eggs prevailed as a completed successful mission. Another activity educated participants on space tools and the challenges of working with them in space. The tools, which were used to service the Hubble Space Telescope, were then given to the participants to experience operating them.

After the participants completed the day filled of activities, they ended their day with some Inspiring Moments from Roger Crouch, NASA Astronaut, Senior Scientist of the International Space Station. The positive feedback proves that the day was beneficial for the children of GSFC staff, including contractors, to learn, examine and share their expectations for the future with their children, so that they would have an opportunity to expand their dreams and hopes.