'Reach For Tomorrow' Calls Upon Goddard to Inspire As Only NASA Can

	Students view presentations at Visitor Center

On August 28, Goddard hosted 116 students and chaperons that were participating in the "Reach For Tomorrow" program. It was the third successive year Goddard hosted a group from the nonprofit organization created to motivate inner-city kids to achieve.

Founded in 1993 by Air Force Academy graduate and commercial pilot Peter Underwood, Reach For Tomorrow (RFT) aims to expose youngsters to positive influences, and to motivate them to strive for success. "Our objective is to improve the three A's in education," said Underwood. "They are attitude, attendance and achievement," said Underwood.

To participate in the 2003 week of activities at the Naval Academy for RFT, participants traveled from East Chicago, Indiana; Chicago, Illinois; Prince William County, Virginia; Missoula, Montana; and the Washington D.C. area. It is a "no excuses" program because RFT provides food, transportation, lodging, activities and clothing for each student.

The day at Goddard included time spent at the Visitor Center for a walk through and film, a presentation by Dr. Ron Polidan, Applied Engineering and Technology Directorate and a talk by former Naval Academy graduate, Darryl Lakins. The day concluded with several tours of Buildings 7, 10, 29 and 28.

Naval Academy graduate Darryl Lakins speaks to students. Photos by Chris Gunn/293

"I spoke to the kids about how my experiences at the Naval Academy helped me to secure my dream of working at NASA," said Lakins. After graduation, Lakins spent six years in the Navy and was then able to transition into a new career at NASA afterward.

"We host the kids for exposure to science, engineering and technology," said Marcellus Proctor, Goddard coordinator for the visit. "The intent is to assist the program in motivating the kids to do well in school in the areas of math and science," said Proctor.

"We want them to see science and technology as a cool thing to do," said Proctor. "Hopefully they leave with an understanding that if they work hard in school, they too can become a part of the future growth in technology,'' added Proctor.

He also commented that the chaperons as well as the kids seemed very interested and asked lots of questions during the visit. "That was good too," said Proctor. "It complies with the administrator's wishes of keeping the public interest in what we do in Earth and Space science and research," said Proctor.

According to Underwood, RFT purposes include increasing the size of the qualified applicant pool to qualify for college, for jobs and to be good American citizens. "We use existing federal resources combined with foundation, corporation and private dollars to create a unique, one week experience for rising high school freshman," said Underwood.

He said each student is matched with an adult chaperon during the summer program that agrees to continue to work with the student for the next two years.

"We want to raise the bar for these kids," said Underwood. "We have dummied everything down so much for these kids, we have lowered their expectations, "said Underwood.

For consideration by RFT, students must have a "C" average, score in the top 40 percentile on standardized tests, attain recommendations from their schools, perform 10 community service hours and pass an interview by RFT volunteers. Students are also selected based on their academic, extracurricular and leadership skills as demonstrated in high school.

For more information about Reach For Tomorrow, contact Peter Underwood at (703) 818-1425.