LEONARD GRAY / L’Observateur / April 5, 2000

TAFT – NASA Day at Waterford 3’s Energy Education Center drew more than 1,500 children during two days of exploring space technology.

Elementary and middle school students from all over St. Charles Parishattended the programs, assisted by volunteers from the Retired Senior Volunteer Program.

Outside the building a balloon replica of a space shuttle sat on the lawn, while Joe Weems, a NASA visitor relations specialist, explained how the shuttles are built and flown.

Meanwhile, Wendy Lesieur suited up students into a sleep-suit as she explained how shuttle astronauts live in zero-gravity. Finally, SherrillReynolds explained space food and the impact space technology has had on everyday life, from Tang to fireproof suits for race-car drivers.

Students shuttled in and out of the three presentations during their 45- minute visits. Tuesday’s groups included A.A. Songy Kindergarten, St.Charles Borromeo Elementary, Luling Elementary, Mimosa Park Elementary and R.J. Vial Elementary. Wednesday’s groups included Albert CammonMiddle, E.J. Landry Middle, St. Charles Borromeo, R.J. Vial, LakewoodElementary and Norco Elementary.

Children were brought into the presentations, trying on and attempting to use astronaut gloves, and learned about how shuttle astronauts actually changed in physical appearance, becoming broader in the shoulders and “frog-like,” according to Lesieur.

The students also ooo’ed over the millions spent to build each space suit, which includes everything from oxygen supply to gadgets to scratch an astronaut’s nose.

The NASA presenters were representing the Stennis Space Center in Hancock County, Mississippi.

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