Lamplighter Students Meet Astronaut
A group of Lamplighter students and their parents had the privilege of meeting two pioneers in the world of aeronautics on Feb. 26.
Students met Col. Alvin Drew, the 200th person to walk in space, and original Tuskegee airman Calvin Spann at the Perot Museum. The meeting was part of a partnership between the museum and Lamplighter to foster learning initiatives in STEM subjects.
Drew became the 200th person to walk in space during his second spaceflight to the International Space Station in February 2011. “It was breathtaking to go up there the first time,” he said. “It’s almost overwhelming…it’s one thing to look at a picture of space and being in space,” he continued, “but it just doesn’t quite capture the experience.”
Spann was a fighter pilot with the 100th Fighter Squadron of the 332nd Fighter Group and served in World War II. He flew 26 missions in Europe during the war.
Lamplighter students and parents were blown away by the experience. “My daughter Abeera had a learning experience of a lifetime meeting these accomplished gentlemen,” said Lamplighter parent Mahvash Amer.
