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Space day is an international grassroots educational initiative dedicated to promoting the extraordinary achievements, benefits and opportunities in the exploration and use of space. The ultimate goal is to promote math, science, technology and engineering education by nurturing young peoples' enthusiasm for the wonders of the universe and inspiring them to continue the stellar work of today's space explorers.
Events are held around the world throughout the year with the main event being held every year on the first Thursday in May. This year the main event was held at the Smithsonian Museum's new Stephen F. Udvar-Hazy Space Museum in Washington, D.C. and featured such prominent guest speakers as former Senator and astronaut, John Glenn, NASA Chief Administrator, Sean O'Keefe and NASA's 2004 astronaut class.
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Senater John Glenn
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Throughout the year students and teachers work on solving certain problems of space or planetary exploration and present their solutions in a display that is judged by a panel of judges. Winners are invited to the main Space Day event in Washington, D.C.
There were over 1600 school children, teachers, parents and press in attendance at this Space Day and it was Justin who opened the day with a rousing three-minute speech that was halted twice by applause. After that, a short Space Day video was played that also featured Justin. He was a real hit!
Prior to his opening speech, Justin got to meet and mingle with the other VIP's backstage. He met his hero, Senator John Glenn; NASA's Chief Administrator, Sean O'Keefe; the CEO of Lockheed-Martin, Vance Coffman; Astronaut, Leland Melvin; Astronaut, Barbara Morgan; Astronaut, Brian Duffy; General John Dailey; and many others.
Senator John Glenn
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NASA Administrator, Sean O'Keefe
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CEO Lockheed Martin, Vance Coffman
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NASA Astronaut, Leland Melvin
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NASA Astronaut, Barbara Morgan
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General John Dailey
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After the speeches, Justin and the other VIP's headed to another wing of the Museum to pose for pictures in front of the Space Shuttle Enterprise. He got to pose with NASA's new atronaut class, which was quite a thrill.
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Justin and the 2004 NASA Astronaut Graduating Class
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After that, Justin belonged to the crowd. He was swarmed by autograph seekers and spent the rest of the day signing t-shirts and autograph books as he toured the exhibits of the winning student teams. He even had moms coming up to him to make sure he was going to come see her son or daughter's exhibit. Before the day was through, he visited all 18 exhibits, signed autographs and had his picture taken with each of the teams.
The Space Day promoters were very pleased with Justin's speech and his public relations activities. He will be participating in another Space Day event on May 20th in Riverside, CA.
We would like to send our warmest thanks to the organizers of Space Day and our dear friend, Ivor Dawson (and the Traveling Space Museum), for making all this possible.
The Houchin Family
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