NASA Scientist to Help Kick-off Space-Themed Project-Based Learning

Mooresville, NC - On Monday, April 4th at 1:00 p.m., Mr. Charles Flay at Lakeshore Middle School will be kicking off a space-themed Project-Based Learning (PBL) activity with Chief Scientist at NASA, Dr. Juliane (pronounced Yoo-Lee-Anna) Gross via Zoom. Joining the Zoom will be a class from Sherrills Ford Elementary in Catawba County. Dr. Juliane Gross, a legend in the NASA world, will be sharing about the work she has been doing with the Apollo moon rock samples from her NASA laboratory at Johnson Space Center. 

NASA knew 50 years ago that technology would continue to improve so they saved samples to be able to open at a later date. After nearly 50 years, scientists are now opening the samples and beginning their diagnosis. This event was arranged for his class by Dr. Debra Lester who serves as the Career and Technical Education (CTE) STEM Coach for Iredell-Statesville Schools and is a NASA Ambassador. 

“I am a self-proclaimed space junkie and jump at any chance to share that world with others,” explained Dr. Lester. “As a CTE-STEM Coach, my job is to promote STEM learning in 5th-8th grade classrooms, but my heart is profoundly passionate about promoting women in STEM. When asking the average person to name women who have been to space, most name three—Sally Ride, Mae Jemison, and Christa McAuliffe. There have been more than 75 women in space. It’s more important to me that girls see themselves as scientists, software developers, engineers, statisticians, and more. It is imperative that we promote women in STEM to these young minds” 

Lakeshore Middle School is located at 244 Lakeshore School Road, Mooresville, NC 28117 and currently serves approximately 640 students in grades 6th-8th. Dr. Lester will be assisting in the learning activity and media is welcomed.

Contact: Jada Jonas, Public Information Officer 704-924-2044