NASA Educational Specialists Stay Connected
NASA Educational Specialist Stays Connected
Samuel Garcia has spread the word throughout the American South and Caribbean Island nations about promising careers in science, space, and technology.
He has done so as an education specialist representing NASA from his home base at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Since 2017, Garcia has travelled throughout Florida, Georgia, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands in conducting seminars, workshops and interactive sessions before a diverse range of students and teachers. NASA, Garcia says, has always had an educational component in reaching out to schools, students and teachers of all backgrounds and income levels to promote the earth sciences, space, and technology fields.
Before his job representing NASA, Garcia grew up a Mercedes Tiger, playing high school basketball in the 1990s and learning from teachers and mentors in his hometown that he credits for inspiring him to learn and succeed.
“Our teachers really motivated us,” Garcia said of growing up in Mercedes. “The rigor and care they provided gave me a really good foundation. They were the role models I wanted to mimic.”
‘It Can Go Bigger’
It was just over a week before the 3rd Annual Earth X Space Celebration and Samuel and younger brother Steven Ray were providing a preview of the event in the backshop of NRG Screen Print and Embroidery in Mercedes.
It’s a “Garcia Bros,” event, the brainchild of two local boys with a passion for their hometown and giving back to their community. At Steven’s printing business, the brothers recapped the history of Earth X Science and spoke enthusiastically of how the Mercedes-based event has grown. The first celebration drew about 100 participants as the Garcia brothers trotted out the idea of having a summer event featuring science, nature, and the environment, with interactive activities and presentations geared to local youth.
The idea caught on. For year two of Earth X Science, the Mercedes Independent School District joined the effort by making available the planetarium at John F. Kennedy Elementary School. Over 300 students, teachers and parents were on hand at the second edition of Earth X Science.
It was evident this project was one with considerable promise. That was proven when planning for the 3rd Annual event that takes place at the Mercedes FEMA Dome on Saturday, Aug. 2, from 2 p.m.-to-6 p.m. Over 500 participants are expected to attend. The latest edition gained sponsorships from Chick-fil-A, Texas National Bank, Sonic Crush, and local businesses like Coach’s Pharmacy and The Grind.
“It started out small but I think we’re seeing it can go bigger,” said Steven Garcia, whose business printed up T-shirts for the event.
‘Indebted To Your Community’
The event draws on the obvious strengths of Samuel Garcia’s deep experience in highlighting science and technology curriculums to youths and teachers.
He has essentially brought to his hometown what he has done across the South and the Caribbean. Earth X Space in Mercedes is an event structured with interactive activities and presentations to encourage children to excel in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
“Our students in Mercedes and the (Rio Grande) Valley are just as capable and resourceful as anywhere else in the country,” Samuel said of organizing such an event on the local level.
The next step for the Garcia brothers is to set up a foundation that can make Earth X Science more than a yearly event in Mercedes. Samuel Garcia, who is a Ph.D. with a doctorate in education from Texas State University, envisions year-round programs like Earth X Science in local communities. He would also like to work toward granting scholarships for Valley students interested in STEM careers.
Before heading backing to his Florida home, Garcia reflected on giving back to the community where he was raised.
“It’s very important to be indebted to your community,” Garcia said. “It’s part of serving your community, coming home, and giving back.”
- Ric Cavazos
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