As we celebrate our 25th anniversary, we can't help but reflect on the incredible journey that has brought us to this milestone. It has been a remarkable ride, and we owe it all to your unwavering support.

Lately, we've been busy commemorating this significant achievement and participating in special events. We are thrilled to share these exciting updates with our valued friends.

Virginia School Boards Association Annual Convention

We were privileged to present a session at the Virginia School Boards Association’s Annual Convention in Williamsburg. The session covered ways VASFA can partner with schools in Virginia to provide innovative STEM education opportunities for their students. We focused on the benefits and outcomes of our Space Adventure Camp, the STEM Academy, and customizable programming. It was a lively discussion with those in attendance, and we forged some new relationships and began the work of bringing more opportunities to students in the Commonwealth.

We look forward to working with more Virginia partners throughout the new year!

DASP: Delmarva Astronomical Star Party

On Saturday, November 19th, a group of cosmic explorers descended upon the Hazel Outdoor Discovery Center grounds for an evening of stargazing. We were happy to facilitate hands-on activities, stargazing, and s’mores for students and their families from our partners, the Fruitland Community Center and Y.E.E.S. W.E. C.A.N. The students and their families arrived before sunset and learned about early telescopes, even constructing a model of one to use. They also learned about constellations and assembled a planisphere to assist in viewing the night sky. After these activities, the campfire was ready for cooking hotdogs and s’mores while we waited for the waning crescent moon to set and the dark skies above Hazel to begin to amaze. 

Thanks to the amateur astronomers and our friend Hunter Outten (NASA JPL Solar System Ambassador), those in attendance saw Jupiter and its moons, several objects from the Messier Catalog, and even a few Leonid meteors streak across the sky. The amateur astronomers spent the night under the dark sky imaging targets and kicking off the first Delmarva Astronomical Star Party as a success. We look forward to the next DASP event on May 10-12, 2024. 

Celebrating the Spirit of Virginia Award at the Executive Mansion

On Thursday, December 7th, we had the immense pleasure of being invited by Governor and Mrs. Glenn Youngkin to a delightful holiday reception at the Executive Mansion. The highlight of the evening was the celebration of receiving the prestigious 2023 Spirit of Virginia Award!

Surrounded by the warm holiday ambiance, we were honored to share this special occasion with our distinguished guests from NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility,  the Virginia Spaceport Authority, Science Systems and Applications, Inc., and the Bahethi Family Foundation. The evening was a perfect kickstart to the festive season and a testament to the spirit of collaboration and achievement.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Governor and Mrs. Glenn Youngkin for this memorable experience. Here's to a joyful holiday season filled with shared successes, cherished moments, and the spirit of Virginia!