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NASA astronaut to visit St. Anne school in Barrington
Updated: January 21, 2013 3:03PM
BARRINGTON — Renowned NASA astronaut Dr. Shannon Walker is scheduled to speak at St. Anne Catholic School and Parish on Jan 9.
Walker’s visit will consist of two, hour-long morning assemblies that include 30-minute presentations and a 30-minute question and answer session.
“She’s going to talk about her career and career opportunities,” said Donna Cherwin, office manager at St. Anne.
Cherwin explained that Walker’s visit is part of an effort to enhance the S.T.E.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) curriculum at St. Anne. Cherwin said the school’s cultural arts committee pursued Walker, who has been on numerous missions throughout her career.
Cherwin said the students at St. Anne, a pre-school to eighth-grade school, are very excited about Walker’s visit.
“I think they are pretty excited,” she said, adding that she’s looking forward to hearing some of the students’ questions. “I think they’re going to have quite a variety.”
Walker began her career with the Rockwell Space Operations Company at the Johnson Space Center in 1987 as a robotics flight controller for the Space Shuttle Program. She later completed Astronaut Candidate Training and became qualified to fly aboard the Space Shuttle and the International Space Station. Walker’s longest mission of her career lasted 163 days, working as a flight engineer of the Russian Soyuz spacecraft.
Walker will present a third assembly on the evening of Jan. 9 for any families who wish to attend.
