NASA astronaut touches down in County Durham

A NASA astronaut inspired hundreds of youngsters yesterday as he revealed details about his life in outer space at the start of a two-day visit to the North East.

Flight engineer Colonel Ron Garan, who was selected by NASA in 2000 following a successful career in the US Airforce, visited St Bede’s School in Lanchester, County Durham, as part of a mission to encourage youngsters to take up careers in science and engineering.

The visit was the first stop on a two-day tour which will see the former fighter pilot speak to hundreds of children across the region and deliver a public lecture at County Hall, Durham, last night  (26 Jan).

Children at St Bede’s watched a DVD which documented the astronaut’s life on board NASA’s International Space Station and featured amazing footage of Earth before they got the chance to quiz him themselves.

Said Col Garan: “One of the main messages I want the children to take away is that anything is possible and that they can choose whatever career they want  – no matter how out of reach that may seem.

“Visits like this help take science out of the classroom and show that maths and science subjects can lead to all kinds of stimulating careers, like being an astronaut. I’m also keen for them to have a better understanding of our planet.”

Col Garan has been a space shuttle crew member on mission STS 124 and more recently spent six months on the International Space Station as a crew member of Expedition 27.
The astronaut has taken part in four space walks totalling more than 27 hours in the hostile environment outside the space craft as well as being involved in the installation of major components of the International Space Station – which is as big as an American football field.
Chris Saunders, head of science at St Bede’s School, said: “Ron’s visit makes science feel more real to the children. They watch science fiction programmes on television but this is about reality. Hopefully they’ll think ‘I can do that’ rather than simply be an observer.”

Rob Burleigh, 17, who is studying physics, chemistry and maths A Levels at St Bede’s, said: “He was really inspirational and some of the pictures he showed were amazing. It just shows you what you can achieve. It’s taken what we learn in the classroom from textbooks and given it real life perspective.”

Ross Williamson, 17, who is studying maths, further maths and physics, said: “It’s great that you can see that careers like being an astronaut come from maths and science. The possibilities are endless.”

Col Garan’s visit was organised by the International Space School Educational Trust (ISSET) in partnership with the County Durham Development Company (CDDC), the business arm of Durham County Council.

Catherine Johns, director of innovation development at CDDC, said there were already fantastic space opportunities within County Durham such as the work being carried out at Durham University’s Centre for Advanced Instrumentation, based at NETPark, which is constructing parts for the Southern African Large Telescope (SALT).

Said Ms Johns: “While the children may think careers in space may be a remote possibility, projects such as SALT show that there are great opportunities for young people who study  the sciences at school happening right here in the County.”

Chris Barber, director of ISSET, said: "Ron Garan is an absolutely fantastic role model and has shown how hard work and study, particularly in maths and science, can lead to a brilliant career.”

Col Garan will be visiting Durham Gilesgate Sports College this morning before meeting Sedgefield Primary School pupils at NETPark and visiting Bishop Barrington School near Bishop Auckland.