Melissa Edwards, launching to new heights with NASA
Launchpad to Wonder, Melissa Edwards’ Adventure with NASA
This week my guest blogger is Melissa Edwards. Melissa not only teaches for the Winston- Salem/Forsyth County Schools in NC, but she also blogs and loves learning new things, especially if there’s adventure. This past April she had an adventure of a lifetime when invited to participate in a behind the scenes view of NASA’s launch of the Antares Rocket. Melissa said this rocket was built by a private company (Orbital) as a way to move cargo back and forth between the International Space Station and Earth. The launch took place at the Wallops Flight Facility in Wallops Island, Virginia.
I’m excited Melissa agreed to share some of that adventure as a guest blogger this week. So, be sure to buckle your seat belts for an enjoyable and informative ride ………
When you think of NASA what is the first thing that comes to mind?
For me, it is curiosity …
Asking questions, thinking about possibilities, and even being confused are signs of curiosity.
Those pieces of curiosity lead to learning …
I guess it could also be Curiosity with a capital C …
Curiosity is the name of the Mars Rover.
My family and I were in Florida when the Curiosity launched.
That got me wondering …
So I started following NASA on twitter …
Which is how I found out about being able to apply for NASA Social Media credentials.
I had actually forgotten about submitting that application …
Until I was driving home from work April 2 …
That was when I saw an email from HQ-Social …
When I found out that I would get to go to Wallop’s Flight Facility to attend the launch for the demo flight of Orbital Sciences Corporation’s Antares Rocket, I thought the actual launch would be the main focus and most interesting part of my trip.
I am not ashamed to admit that I WAS WRONG …
With my NASA Social Media Credentials, I had the same access as journalists and media representatives. I got to go on tours, participate in demonstations, and ask questions to people who work for NASA, even Charles Bolden, the current NASA Administrator!!!!
Having chances to talk with people and learn the background stories as well as getting to actually see and be close to things going to space turned out the be the parts I enjoyed the most!
Charles Bolden was not the only person who shared the story of how he/she got to where they are today …
I talked to engineers, mechanics, former astronauts, web designers, reporters, social media specialists, tour guides, designers …
That is where curiosity and inspiration really come into play …
Many of the people I have talked to mentioned being inspired and/or fascinated by space as a main reason they do what they do …
Why do you do what you do?
What inspired you?
How do you inspire curiosity for yourself and for others?
Think about how curiosity and questions have been the driving force behind NASA …
Isn’t it strange to think about how far we have come based on the curiosity, questions, and inventions of the Wright Brothers …
Melissa Edwards
Twitter: @mwedwards
My blog: Figuring Out How the Pieces Fit
Thank you, Melissa, for sharing your NASA adventure. Because of your love of knowledge and adventurous spirit, you are my choice for favorite person of the week.
If you know someone with a love for knowledge and an adventurous spirit, like Melissa, I would like to hear from you, so leave a comment, message on facebook or email dicysm@yahoo.com.
Thanks,
Dicy
Dicy, what a great guest you have today! I have always been intrigued with math and science so this is right up my alley. One of the best vacations our family had when our kids were young was to Weeki Watchee Springs, FL. Of course, I know you are now curious about the connection of Weeki Watchee to NASA. It was from there that we took an impromptu detour across the state of Florida to Cape Canaveral. What an awesome adventure!
Thank you for sharing Melissa’s journey and bringing back some wonderful memories!
Thanks, Sharla. I enjoyed learning about Melissa’s adventure as well.
We took our children to Cape Canaveral when we visited Disneyworld about fifteen years ago.
It was quite an experience and one my children have never forgotten.