‘We’ve seen lives changing:’ Former astronauts visit the Rocket City
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) — The Rocket City hosted two out-of-this-world guests Thursday to look at a unique opportunity in STEM.
“We’ve seen lives changing,” Former Astronaut Charlie Duke told News 19 about the unique Endeavor Scholarship opportunity.
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Duke and Mike Bloomfield, another former astronaut, visited the U.S. Space and Rocket Center Thursday to spread a message of encouragement and speak at Stem on Stage about some of their space experiences.
“If you have a dream, follow your dream,” Duke said. “Dream big.”
And, Charlie Duke’s words hold a lot of weight when it comes to following dreams. He is one of 12 people to ever walk on the moon. This happened when he was a part of the Apollo 16 mission.
Duke and Bloomfield shared the unique opportunity of the Endeavor Scholarship which awarded 40 students worldwide with an all-expenses paid Space Camp experience right here in Huntsville.
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“We’re here because space, especially human space flight, is one of those things that seems to transcend boundaries,” Bloomfield said.
Students spend a week at The U.S. Space and Rocket Center learning through different STEM programs and projects. Some scholarship winners flew in from as far away as Chile, Australia, and Singapore. Before the week began, the students celebrated the Fourth of July in Washington D.C., with the astronauts saying this broadened the students’ worldwide experiences.
“Some of them have never left their country,” Duke said. “So, they get exposed to a team from all over the world of different personalities, different languages.”
Duke shared that a great aspect of the program is not only what the students learn, but the relationships they form.
“And, the friendships that are developed from these young kids all over the world,” Duke said. “They stay in touch with one another.”
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