MADISON, Alabama - Discovery Middle School students welcomed NASA officials to campus for a chat focused on STEM careers Wednesday.
Donald James, NASA's associate administrator education, engaged students enrolled in some of the schools newly offered STEM electives, challenging them to think broadly about space, technology, engineering and math.
NASA Administrator Charles Bolden was prepared to speak with students, but was called away to address concerns after an Orbital Sciences Antares rocket headed to restock the International Space Station exploded while in launch Tuesday night.
James used Tuesday's failure and NASA's goal of having astronauts step foot on Mars as points of reference to explain why STEM education is important to equip students with the skills to find solutions to difficult problems.
When asked by a student about choosing a career path to pursue, James said it is fine to change your mind.
"You have to trust that what you're learning and what people are trying to teach you are relevant to whatever you might want to do," he said to the group. "That's called building your foundation."
Fellow guest speaker, 13-year-old astronaut hopeful Alyssa Carson, also encouraged students to find a subject their passionate about and work diligently to achieve their goals.
"Make it your dream and don't let someone take it away from you. You can accomplish it if you keep striving for it," Carson said.
Carson is currently working to complete her scuba certification with plans to attend International Space University in France this summer.
In awe of Carson's determination to get to Mars, James reached inside his coat pocket to give her his business card.
"I'm going to be hiring you soon," he said.
She responded by giving James a business card of her own.