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4-H'ers meet NASA astronaut at Stennis
MISSISSIPPI STATE – Mississippi 4-H’ers celebrated a summer of hands-on science activities by meeting a former astronaut at the Stennis Space Center on July 30.
About 80 participants in the Mississippi State University Extension Service’s Summer of Innovation program heard Leland Melvin speak about his experiences as a professional football player, scientist and astronaut. Melvin is currently NASA’s associate administrator for education. NASA sponsors the Summer of Innovation program to increase student interest in science, technology, engineering and math, or STEM, topics.
“It’s just inspiring to me to see that next generation of explorers who will grow to advance our civilization,” Leland said in a NASA press release.
In addition to meeting Melvin, who served as a mission specialist on two space shuttle missions, the 4-H’ers participated in activities sponsored by the Stennis Office of Education, including magnetic levitation cars, stomp rockets and biospheres.
