Hands-on activities including papercraft origami, building a robot claw and constructing a paper rocket highlighted the University of Hawaiʻi Institute for Astronomy (IfA) 23rd Annual Astronaut Lacy Veach Day of Discovery on October 20. This is the first time the free event was held at IfA.
“It was exciting and refreshing to see how many students and families came out on a Sunday to our annual Astronaut Lacy Veach Day of Discovery,” said Adria Fung, event coordinator with the Hawaiʻi Space Grant Consortium. “Our vision is to be able to bring together schools, organizations, and industry professionals to share their knowledge of STEM and learning, and hopefully spark an inspiration to students to be future problem-solvers and global collaborators.”
Featured keynote speakers were members of the Solar Wind Sherpas, a team of international scientists and explorers who travel the world to observe and collect data on total solar eclipses.
The event engaged PK-12 students, families and educators in a day of interactive activity booths and workshops highlighting space exploration, Polynesian voyaging, rocketry, robotics and coding.
“I continue to venture through Lacy’s Day in total awe,” said Diana Veach, sister of Astronaut Lacy Veach. “The curiosity and eagerness of young attendees, and the heartfelt mentorship of the educators, presenters and volunteers is nothing short of true joy. I have never gotten through one event without several tear time moments. It is such an honor for Lacy.”
The celebration honored the life and legacy of Charles Lacy Veach, who grew up in Honolulu with an interest in science, had a distinguished career in the United States Air Force, and went on to fly two Space Shuttle missions. Veach serves as a reminder that the dreams of today can be forged into exploration and discoveries of tomorrow.
The event was sponsored by Hawaiian Electric with support from IfA and the Hawaiʻi Space Grant Consortium.
