US space scientists want SA pupils to reach for the stars
“REACH for the stars” is the message Nasa chief scientist Ellen Stofan and Nasa astronaut Catherine Coleman have for pupils in the Western Cape.
Coleman and Stofan paid visits to Wynberg Girls’ High School and Masibambane High School in Bloekombos, near Kraaifontein, yesterday.
The two Americans presented informative and entertaining facts about life on the International Space Station (ISS) and its current missions.
They also told the pupils how work in space can help humanity solve environmental problems on earth.
“I love all the math and science paintings on the school walls,” Coleman said when she arrived at Masibambane High, a school with a mathematics and science focus.
Coleman explained that while it was difficult to become an astronaut, hard work could make it possible.
”It takes a certain amount of self-enforcement to think you really belong there, especially when you are the only woman working with male colleagues,” Coleman added.
Masibambane’s principal, Rajan Naidoo, said he was glad his 1 600 pupils had the chance to meet two qualified scientists from the US.
“Masibambane is a star school with star teachers. I suppose that is why people from the space agency are visiting,” quipped Naidoo to his teachers during a briefing before Coleman and Stofan arrived.
US consul-general Teddy B Taylor was among the visitors at Bloekombos who wanted to hear more about space missions.
Gathered in the school hall, Grade 8 to 12 pupils were captivated by stories of daily life in space. Stofan told them Nasa studied not only the universe and planets, but also intended to solve problems that challenge life on earth.
“We need everybody to participate. Not only men, not only Americans, but everybody. You could work on solutions for problems like climate change,” she said.
Pupils were fascinated by videos of how astronauts eat, drink and play baseball in a zero-gravity environment.
“It was interesting to see how they fly around and live out there,” said pupil Portia Cekiso, adding that it was the first time she had seen space videos.
Another pupil, Patlena Yesere, said she was encouraged by the visit of the Nasa employees.
Stofan and Coleman intend to encourage young people, especially girls, to choose careers in the fields of mathematics, science, technology and engineering.
“Girls have lots of things they are good at. Even if we are different, we have to contribute something important,” said Coleman.