2018 Series Event
Feb 21-22, 2018 - Leominster, MA
Students Grades 8-12
Flyer graciously created & donated by: www.pro-cad.net
Presenting Team
Selected by NASA in January 1990, Dr. Thomas became an astronaut in July 1991. Dr. Thomas has served in the Safety, Operations Development, and Payloads Branches of the Astronaut Office. He was CAPCOM (spacecraft communicator) for Shuttle missions STS-47, 52 and 53. From July 1999 to June 2000 he was Director of Operations for NASA at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia. A veteran of four space flights, STS-65, STS-70, STS-83 and STS-94, he has logged over 1,040 hours in space as a Mission Specialist.
Tara Sweeney owns a technology test and evaluation company that specializes in chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive environments; owns a 3D-printing business that captures her artistry for designing and manufacturing gift shop quality items; is a member of a parabolic flight crew that conducts adventure flights, charter flights, and research flights in microgravity; and is a retired United States Air Force officer within the Air Force Special Operations Command. She holds degrees from the United States Air Force Academy, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and Regis University. Tara enjoys the gift of private aviation, and is a proactive advocate for the importance of STEM/STEAM.
Michelle Lucas spent 10+ years working at NASA’s Johnson Space Center. First as part of the International Space Station (ISS) Payload Safety Review Panel (PSRP) and then in the Mission Operations Directorate as a Flight Controller in ISS Mission Control and as an Astronaut Instructor in the ISS Daily Operations Group. Additionally, she worked with each of the International Partners (European Space Agency – ESA, Japanese Space Agency – JAXA, and the Russian Space Agency) in the field of Daily Operations, Flight Controller, and Instructor Training. Michelle was part of the Core NASA Extreme Environment Mission Operations (NEEMO) team for 9 missions where astronauts would carry out analog space missions underwater in the Aquarius habitat. Along the way, Michelle found she has a passion for launching the next generation’s dreams and ambitions. Her passion for inspiring students led to extensive work with other organizations in STEM outreach so she founded the non-profit Higher Orbits to use space to excite and inspire students about STEM, Leadership, Teamwork, and Communication. Michelle is proud to be a Space Camp Alum, AIAA Associate Fellow, and member of the Space Camp Hall of Fame. She believes that collaboration in space and STEM is the key to the stars! Space Inspires!
Contact Details
Boys & Girls Club of
Fitchberg & Leominster
365 Lindell Ave
Leominster, MA , 01453
