POPLARVILLE, Miss – Pearl River Community College partnered with NASA’s Stennis Space Center Thursday for “NASA Night” before their home football game against Hinds at Dobie Holden Stadium. Admission was free as part of PRCC’s ongoing celebration for continued enrollment growth and over 75 young potential astronauts came out for the fun.
PREGAME ACTIVITIES
Interactive booths were available on PRCC’s Poplarville campus behind the Public Relations building where participants were able to visit informational exhibits and experience one-on-one engagement with a PRCC alum who currently works at NASA Stennis. Exhibits included “astronaut ice cream,” space bracelet building, a star coloring station, temporary tattoo stations, and a booth with model NASA rockets. There was no lack of picture opportunities as kids and adults alike lined up to pose in front astronaut suit cuts outs and a massive inflatable NASA logo.
While many kids jumped up and down with excitement at the thought of rocketing off to the moon a few had concerns about logistics.
“I don’t think I could eat that weird ice cream,” said one young visitor.
However, a NASA representative was quick to reassure him that they needed smart engineers like him on their team to improve all parts of the mission, including ice cream.
NASA’S ARTEMIS MISSION
Since the 1960s, Stennis Space Center has grown into the nation’s largest rocket engine test site, featuring facilities collectively valued at more than $2 billion.
In 2015, NASA Stennis began testing RS-25 engines for NASA’s new Artemis Program to send humans to the Moon and ultimately carry them on to Mars. Artemis is the name of NASA’s program to return astronauts to the lunar surface by 2024.
As a result of Artemis, NASA will be able to establish a sustainable human presence on the Moon by 2028 to uncover new scientific discoveries, demonstrate new technological advancements and lay the foundation for private companies to build a lunar economy.
For more information about the Artemis Mission visit www.nasa.gov.
To get a glimpse at the fun had at “NASA Night” click this link.
For the latest news on Pearl River Community College, visit PRCC.edu and follow us on Twitter (@PRCC_Wildcats) and Facebook (@PRCCMKTG).
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Pearl River Community College offers equal education and employment opportunities. The College does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, veteran status, or disability. For inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies or to request accommodations, special assistance, or alternate format publication please contact Tonia M. Seal, Director of Admissions and Records/ ADA/Civil Rights Coordinator at P.O. Box 5559, Poplarville, MS 39470 or 601-403-1060 or Maghan James, Assistant Vice President of Student Services/Title IX Coordinator at P.O. Box 5805, Poplarville, MS 39470 or 601-403-1132.
