Blue Origin astronaut George C. Nield visited his elementary school alma mater, North Springfield Elementary School, yesterday to talk with students about his experience traveling to space.
Nield’s visit was part of a Space in the Community Event, hosted by The Space Foundation and Arcfield in coordination with Fairfax County Public Schools. The week-long educational program, which began November 17 and runs until November 21, includes guest lectures and interactive science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) activities.
A Hometown Visit
Nield spent second and third grade at North Springfield. He grew up wanting to be an astronaut, then spent his career working for NASA, the Air Force, and the Federal Aviation Administration before founding Commercial Space Technologies to encourage commercial space activities.
Nield traveled to space in 2022, during the 20th successful launch of Blue Origin’s New Shepard.
“Space is our future, and we need to have people growing up learning about space so that they can be an active part when they grow up,” Nield said.
After a picture presentation and a Q&A session with Nield, the fourth and fifth grade students met with Space Foundation educators to further discuss space exploration and the Hubble Space Telescope.
Nield said he hoped the program encouraged students to find their place in space exploration.
“You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to do this. We’re going to need lots of good people. Yes, engineers, scientists, physicians, all that for sure, but technicians and welders and software programmers and lawyers and communicators and hotel managers and chefs,” Nield said. “We’re going to need all kinds of skills. So if people grow up and say, ‘Well, gee, I’m not very good at math,’ there’s plenty of other ways to contribute. So if you have a passion for space, there’s a place for you.”
The Space Foundation
The Space Foundation is a nonprofit advocate organization with the mission to advance the space community through education, collaboration, and information. Along with in-school education programs, the foundation also hosts students at the Discovery Center, an immersive, hands-on lab focused on STEM education. The foundation often partners with schools and space educators like Nield for programs like Space in the Community.
“Learning happens best in community and partnerships with organizations like the Space Foundation are what give FCPS students an advantage that will benefit them long after graduation,” said Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Michelle Reid in a news release. “A classroom visit from an astronaut today could inspire a Fairfax County student to lead the next generation of scientists, engineers, and mathematicians tomorrow.”
Feature photo by Melanie Jensen
