As NASA and the country mark 50 years since the Apollo program took Americans to the moon, Tarrant County College is hosting special events celebrating the history of space travel and the wonders of the solar system.
“I grew up watching the Apollo missions on television and dreaming of being an astronaut,” said TCC Southeast President William Coppola. “I hope this series of programs recaptures some of that wonder and hope for a new generation.”
The activities reflect TCC’s commitment to serving the community and raising awareness of STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) career pathways. According to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data, employment in STEM occupations is expected to increase to more than 9 million between 2012 and 2022—up around 1 million jobs over 2012 levels.
“These activities are a unique opportunity to relive one of mankind’s greatest achievements,” said TCC Northeast Interim President Tahita Fulkerson. “We invite students, faculty, staff and the community to join us to learn more about the Apollo program and the dedication of the astronauts who risked their lives to bring human understanding of the solar system to a new level.”
Anniversary events include:
- Project Apollo Exhibit: Learn more about the Apollo missions through photographs and text. Monday, Nov. 26, through Tuesday, Dec. 11, at TCC Southeast, 2100 Southeast Pkwy., Arlington (Judith J. Carrier Library ESED 1200).
- The Human Challenges of Space Exploration: Charles W. Lloyd, the associate director for strategic communications in the Human Research Program at Johnson Space Center, will make a presentation on the health hazards astronauts encounter in space. Lloyd will detail the causes of various physical and mental health concerns faced by astronauts and how NASA studies and treats them. 12:30 to 1:50 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 27, at TCC Southeast (North Ballroom).
- U.S. Presidential Rhetoric and the 1960s Space Race: Stephen Brown, TCC instructor of speech, will discuss how politics influenced the Space Race by examining the communications and strategies of John F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson and Richard Nixon. 9:30 to 10:50 a.m., Wednesday, Nov. 28, at TCC Southeast (Judith J. Carrier Library Classroom ESED 1212).
- Apollo 8 Retrospective: Faculty members Raymond Benge and Kevin Barrett will present a NASA Solar System Ambassador program to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 8 manned spaceflight. Light refreshments will be served. 1 to 2 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 28, at TCC Northeast, 828 W. Harwood Rd., Hurst (J. Ardis Bell Library NLIB).
- Mobile Noble Planetarium: The Fort Worth Museum of Science and History’s Mobile Noble Planetarium will visit TCC for an afternoon of free shows. The Planetarium holds 35 people per show; attendees are encouraged to RSVP to Tracey Minzenmayer at 817-515-3388. Shows will be held at 2 p.m., 2:40 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 4:10 p.m., 5 p.m., 5:40 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 28, at TCC Southeast (Judith J. Carrier Library ESED 1200).
- Rocket Men – The Story of Apollo 8: Robert Kurson, who authored Rocket Men: The Daring Odyssey of Apollo 8 and the Astronauts who Made Man’s First Journey to the Moon, will hold a presentation and Q&A via the internet. Kurson will discuss his experiences researching and interviewing astronauts, their families, NASA personnel, and space experts to create a thrilling account of the groundbreaking mission. 12:30 to 1:50 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 29, at TCC Southeast (North Ballroom).
For more information on Apollo anniversary events, visit calendar.tccd.edu/Apollo.