Jefferson Middle School student Drew Parker, second from right, met with Congressman Bill Posey, left, and Kennedy Space Center Director Bob Cabana, right, at Posey’s office in Washington this summer. Drew was on a trip to Washington DC with his father Charles, second from left, who is the director of the Merritt Island High School da Vinci Academy of Aerospace Technology. (Image for SpaceCoastDaily.com)
WASHINGTON, DC – Drew Parker, a rising seventh grader who will be participating in the Galileo program at Jefferson Middle School, met with Congressman Bill Posey and Kennedy Space Center Director Bob Cabana at Posey’s office in Washington this summer.
Parker was on a trip there with his father Charles, who is the director of the Merritt Island High School da Vinci Academy of Aerospace Technology.
CHARLES AND DREW PARKER discussed the Space Shuttle Atlantis exhibit, above, the future of deep-space manned missions, and the difficulties of making commercial launches more cost-effective on the Eastern Range with Congressman Bill Posey and Kennedy Space Center Director Cabana. (Image for SpaceCoastDaily.com)
The Parkers discussed the Space Shuttle Atlantis exhibit, the future of deep-space manned missions and the difficulties of making commercial launches more cost-effective on the Eastern Range with Posey and Cabana.
“It was very informative,” Drew said. “And really cool to be able to meet both of them at the same time.”
The Parkers had a scheduled meeting with Posey when Cabana happened to stop by at the same time. Cabana briefed Posey on the current state of KSC during the meeting.
John Diedenhofen of Lockheed Martin speaks with students enrolled in the Merritt Island High School’s da Vinci Academy of Aerospace Technology, a four-year CHOICE program offered by Brevard Public Schools. (Image for SpaceCoastDaily.com)
“It was nice to be able to promote our aerospace academy to these two prominent decision-makers,” Charles said.
“I hope to work closely with both of them on site visits, internships and grants to enhance the academy experience for our students.”
The Parkers also attended the House Armed Services committee hearing when Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel testified for the first time regarding the Bergdahl/Taliban prisoner swap.
CHARLES AND DREW PARKER attended the House Armed Services committee hearing when Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel testified for the first time regarding the Bergdahl/Taliban prisoner swap. (CSPAN3 video image)
“We were first in line at 7:30 a.m. for the 10 a.m. hearing,” Charles said.
“We got two of the 10 public seats that were available. We knew it might be a history-making event.”
The Galileo program at Jefferson is a small learning community that has accelerated curriculum and many enrichment opportunities for students.
The MIHS da Vinci Academy of Aerospace Technology is a four-year CHOICE program offered by Brevard Public Schools. Students engage in hands-on learning and use the nationally-acclaimed “Project-Lead-the-Way” curriculum.
All Brevard County students are eligible to apply for the academy.
