Classes titled “Egg Drop Construction”, “Dude, Where’s My Air?”, and an up-close lecture by NASA astronaut Col. Douglas Wheelock might sound like itinerary items for a fictional, Hogwartian summer camp.

In reality, they were scheduled events March 8 at Space Science Day, an annual event commemorating Astronaut Ellison S. Onizuka, who died aboard the Challenger shuttle when it tragically exploded on January 28, 1986.

“Ellison always wanted to instill upon the students that no matter how high your goal is it can be accomplished,” Allen Murakoshi, president of the Astronaut Ellison S. Onizuka memorial board, said. “Even if you try and [are] not able to get there, the very fact that you tried makes the world a better place.”

The annual event has taken place at EC since 1999, and has since been open to grade-school students. This year, there were approximately 1,016 attendees to this campus tradition.

Wheelock’s lecture, peppered with humor and wit, easily captivated the attending students.

“The astronauts are so engaged with the students. The morning presentations [were] amazing, for lack of a better word. I’ve heard these speeches and presentations now 14 to 15 times, and it never gets old,” Robin Dreizler, director of outreach and school relations, said.

Wheelock’s lecture, although largely focused on space and his expeditions, sometimes wavered into philosophy.He asked the students to define words such as “impossible” and to examine concepts like fear.

“Equip yourself with the knowledge you need to just master that fear,” he said. “Control it, and let it walk beside you, and encourage you, and inspire you until you get beyond that fear.”

Many of the attendees had been to Space Science Day before. Seventh grade student, Aashritha Srirambhatla, said, “I like it ‘cause you get to do a lot of different classes that you don’t get to do in normal school days.”

Eighth grade student, Hiwet Mersiehazen, said, “There is a lot of information that they give you, and the more they talk about it, the more you get interested.”

Wheelock encouraged students to pursue dreams regardless of the obstacles.

“Whatever profession you’re choosing, different courses of studying, or where you’re going to transfer, there are going to be obstacles, and it doesn’t matter what you choose,” he said. “We all have fears. Master the fear.”