Kids attend astronaut ice cream party
Aug. 16—OXFORD — Last month, Oxford's citizens gathered to view photos taken by the James Webb Telescope. Since then, youngsters have once again taken part in a space-themed event: sampling freeze-dried ice cream sandwiches.
The astronaut ice cream party took place Aug. 9 at the Oxford Housing Authority Training Center. Dr. Valerie Johnson, Shaw University's dean of arts, sciences and humanities, brought the treats which the Friends of the N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences donated.
Reactions, according to a Granville County news release, ranged the full spectrum — "It's not cold! It tastes just like real ice cream! Yuck, this is terrible! Yummy," exclaimed the children.
"These young people are the ones who will be leading our efforts to explore our solar system and forge our future into new realms. It is so important we help feed their curiosity by making sure they are aware of all the opportunities available to them. It is a privilege for me to assist in any way I can," Johnson said.
Johnson was joined by OHA Director Xavier Wortham and Superintendent Alisa McLean.
"There are future scientists, doctors, engineers and maybe even astronauts in this room today," Wortham said. "It's our responsibility to make sure they have the opportunity to find the pathways to allow them to become all they can be."
Some kids present last Tuesday were members of OHA's Astronomy Club, which Wortham co-sponsors alongside former NASA test pilot Rob Rivers. The two men introduce science, technology, engineering and math to the club's young members to "help them think about a career path" that might include those subjects.
