Recently, Orion’s Quest staff members travelled to Philadelphia, PA. to participate in a teacher professional development training arranged by Dr. Joi Spraggins and Legacy Pathways. Through this collaboration with Legacy Pathways, Orion’s Quest is providing support for STEM educators in the greater Philadelphia area by introducing them to NASA and the opportunity to engage students in working for scientists whose research in being conducted onboard the International Space Station National Laboratory. At the workshop there was broad discussion about how to reach teachers and help them bring workforce development skills into their classrooms. Orion’s Quest was highlighted as an example of how to engage students in exciting authentic space science.

During the workshop CEO Pete Lawrie introduced the Orion’s Quest program, COO Tom Drummond presented background on NASA and the International Space Station National Laboratory and Director of Education Angela Krause-Kuchta walked teachers through the science behind our newest “CuRE” Cancer Microgravity Research Experiment mission. Teachers were given ISS calendars and two lucky individuals received copies of astronaut Col. Jerry Ross’s book, Spacewalker.

Everyone who attended came away with new ideas and a better appreciation of the work it will take to make an impact in STEM education in Philadelphia and beyond.