“Dream big and set big goals and you'll get there” -- that was the message retired NASA astronaut and Nebraska native Clayton Anderson gave to local high school students.Marian High School students piled in to the school's auditorium Tuesday morning to learn more about how Anderson became successful.-- Video: Clayton Anderson talks to local high schoolers"I'm a small town boy from Nebraska, went to a small town school -- Hastings College -- and was able to do some amazing things," he said.Anderson's NASA career spanned three decades, living a dream he said all kids are capable of accomplishing."I was young. I had a dream, then I was lucky enough to live that dream, so these kids are just like me. They’re no different than me,” Anderson said.His message encourages young women to dream big in STEM -- science, technology, engineering and mathematics.“He made me consider a career in something like this. I never thought of like an engineering career along this line, but it was very interesting,” said senior Courtney Warren.“I think it's very important for young women to get into it, and things like this help a lot with him coming and talking to us and getting us involved in things, like our physics classes,” said junior Kenna Silvey.Anderson knows you just have to be exposed to different things to find out what you're good at."You have to get that spark. You have to have that passion for whatever it is you choose to do because if you do, you'll do it better than anyone,” Anderson said.Anderson will also be visiting students at Papillion South and Central high schools this week. He will also speak Saturday at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln for Astronomy Day.He will speak at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Anyone can attend. Adults cost $6. Kids cost $3. Click here for more information.