NASA, University of Houston, and University of Central Florida Hit Grand Slam with Space Weekend

by Joseph Zakrzewski | 2024-05-10

NASA’s Johnson Space Center joined the University of Houston (UH) and the University of Central Florida baseball teams on May 4, 2024, to celebrate National Space Day and STEM Saturday with an interstellar weekend at Schroeder Park in downtown Houston.

Over 300 students, teachers, and staff joined NASA’s STEM Zone Saturday showcase inside the UH Alumni Center. Attendees explored space artifacts, engaged in hands-on activities including crew assembly glove engagements, and gained insight into how astronauts live and work aboard the International Space Station. Attendees also learned about the exciting future of human spaceflight, including the highly anticipated launch of NASA’s Boeing Crew Flight Test scheduled for May 17, 2024.

A young girl wearing a space glove and a black shirt with jeans smiles while putting puzzle pieces together. A young boy in a blue jersey smiles while wearing an astronaut space glove and helmet.

A young boy wearing garden gloves, a blue polo with an orange tie, and a blue and orange hat looks down at a table containing puzzle pieces. Two young boys look down at a display on an orange table. Both are wearing grey shirts with colored lettering.

Image courtesy of Joseph Zakrzewski.

“It's not just about facts and figures; it’s about sparking curiosity,” said volunteer and International Space Station Computer Resources Support System Manager Stephen Carver. “These experiences truly imprint memories that can shape futures. When students wear a spacewalk glove, pick up an astronaut helmet, or learn about some of the exciting science and missions, it fuels their curiosity and sense of adventure.”

An image of a rocket outside in the grass at a park. A baseball sits next to the rocket. A group of people hold up white plastic bags with the NASA emblem on them in a large outdoor stadium.

Image courtesy of Joseph Zakrzewski.

On the field, the two “space coast” clubs came together in Houston for the very first time since joining the Big XII. Johnson Chief Financial Officer and University of Houston alum Sid Schmidt tossed the first pitch as NASA’s “We Are Going” Artemis video inspired the crowd.

A man in a white shirt and jeans throws a pitch in a baseball field.

Johnson Space Center’s Chief Financial Officer and University of Houston (UH) alum Sid Schmidt tossed the first pitch at Schroeder Park in downtown Houston at the UH vs. University of Central Florida baseball game. Credit: UH

“This was truly a wonderful homecoming,” reflected Schmidt. “To see these two ‘space coast’ universities celebrate National Space Day, share NASA’s excitement for the future of human spaceflight, and engage with hundreds of students and families across our community is a testament to the enduring impact and inspiration we can have on this generation and future explorers to come.”