Space Science Day gives students out of this world experience

By Joshua Sherman, Staff Writer|May 9, 2011

(foreground to background) Steffen Paiva, 19, mechanical engineering major, and Giberto Hernandez, 19, mechanical engineering major peer at a light-powered “Teeter-totter” at the Onizuka Space Science Day April 30, 2011.

Miles away from Earth in rocket ships and space stations, astronauts observe our majestic blue planet from above. For one astronaut however, educating  kids about space down here at ground level was his mission.

Soichi Noguchi, who has two flight missions and almost half a year of logged space time under his belt, spoke in the Marsee Auditorium Saturday for the 25th Anniversary of Onizuka Space Science Day.

“I think it is very important not just for kids but for adults too, to get to know how we(astronauts) do all of our activities in space,” JAXA Astronaut Soichi Noguchi said. “And to help promote their dreams about space and technology.”

Space Science Day is dedicated to the memory of the seven Challenger astronauts, who on January 28, 1986 lost their lives in pursuit of their dreams, according to a Space Science Day informational pamphlet. Among the astronauts was American Ellison Onizuka.

“The kids’ enthusiasm is what encouraged us to help sponsor this event,” EC President Tom Fallo said.

The day was filled with science experiments, competitions and hands-on activities.

“It’s really heartening that after 30 or 40 minutes into the demonstration everyone will still suddenly become quiet and watch to see what happens,” physics teacher Leon Leonardo said. “I wish I could get the students in my class to get that quiet.”

“The kids that come in here really, really like it and the parents do too,” Leonardo said.

A robot arm and mini-rocket were among some of the demonstrations that dazzled kids in the science courtyard. Fun experiments were also performed in the science buildings and planetarium.

“Several times I’ve had kids who’ve attended this show 15 years ago and come to my classes here as students,” Leonardo said. “That’s a great thing.”

“I think it’s a great opportunity for little kids, especially at a young age, to see all these cool experiments and get them interested in the field of science,” Giberto Hernandez, 19, mechanical engineering major and space day volunteer said. “If I had this when I was younger, I would have tried harder and did better in school.”