When it comes to celestial and sci-fi shows and seminars, "Roger That!" is one of the best programs out there to get students interested in space exploration.
Roger That! celebrates space exploration and the life of Grand Rapids native, Roger B. Chaffee, with a multi-day experience, featuring STEM school programming and a public celebration at the GRPM and an academic and public conference at Grand Valley State University.
Now in its fifth year, the conference promises some out-of-this-world guests like Dr. Leroy Chiao, a chemical engineer and NASA astronaut. Dr. Chiao participated in three Space Shuttle missions (STS-65, STS-72, and STS-92) and one Soyuz TMA-5 mission, and was the Commander of Expedition 10 on the International Space Station.
Other guests include meteor scientists, engineers, artists, experts on virtual reality, physicists, space collection curators, an astronaut, and a one-of-a-kind live presentation of the 1925 German film "Our Heavenly Bodies" accompanied by the Grand Rapids Public Museum's Wurlitzer Organ.
These presenters will be giving their presentations online on February 19 and 20. Register for these panels at gvsu.edu/rogerthat.
The Grand Rapids Public Museum will be hosting educational exhibitions and activities on February 15. People can learn more about Roger B. Chaffee and space exploration with hands-on activities including a jet propulsion activity, gazing at the daytime sky with telescopes, creating underwater ROVs, interacting with space artifacts, and much more!
Activities will be available from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and are included with general admission. Planetarium shows take place on the hour throughout the day and are $4 per person; free for Museum members.
To learn more, visit grpm.org.
