Johnson Joins Japan Festival in Houston

by Sumer Loggins | 2023-05-08

On Saturday, May 6, 2023, NASA’s Johnson Space Center employees attended the annual Japan Festival at Hermann Park in Houston, Texas. The event commemorates the festival's 30^thanniversary with celebration through food, dance, martial arts, hands-on activities, and more.

Attendees at the annual Japan festival enjoyed Johnson's exhibit booth at Hermann Park. Credits: NASA/Jessica Cordero — *Attendees at the annual Japan Festival enjoyed NASA Johnson Space Center's exhibit booth at Hermann Park. Credits: NASA/Jessica Cordero*

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Johnson employees passed along information about High School Aerospace Scholars (HAS), a NASA-unique program offering students an immersive experience in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) activities. The once-in-a-lifetime opportunity is available to all Texas students in their junior year of high school. The adventure starts in the fall with an online course and culminates - for students who earn it - with an on-site summer experience at Johnson and the chance to be mentored by NASA scientists and engineers. Upon completion, juniors may apply for a NASA internship and Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo™ and Rotary National Award for Space Achievement scholarships.

Jessica Cordero, NASA’s Johnson Space Center community engagement lead, is pictured sharing NASA’s messaging to a crowd of festival guests. Credits: NASA/Sumer Loggins — Jessica Cordero, Johnson's community engagement lead, shares NASA’s messaging and student opportunities to a crowd of festival guests.
Credits: NASA/Sumer Loggins

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NASA’s exhibit booth consisted of the Space Launch System model, space food, and a real-life spacesuit glove and helmet. Attendees were offered a NASA meatball sticker and temporary tattoo, NASA’s SpaceX Crew-6 and Artemis I mission stickers, and an Artemis bookmark with QR codes to learn more about NASA, Artemis, and STEM. NASA’s STEM engagement provides valuable resources for educators and students of all ages.

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NASA's international partner JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency), also attended the event at the neighboring booth. JAXA astronaut Akihiko Hoshide spent the day taking pictures with festival guests and signing autographs before stopping by the NASA booth to say hello to Johnson employees. NASA and JAXA are long-term partners with the common goal to explore on and around the Moon as part of the Artemis program. Japan, Canada, and participating ESA (European Space Agency) countries have confirmed they will support continued International Space Station operations through 2030.