Children peered through telescopes, made models with 3D pens, and chatted with an astronaut Wednesday night at a Space Foundation event aimed at inspiring interest in space. 

Retired Navy Capt. Dominic Anthony “Tony” Antonelli, a former NASA astronaut, was among the main attractions at the Space in Community event and answered questions, such as “Will astronauts headed to the moon take pictures if they see aliens?” from young children and others. 

Reyes Quintanilla, 6, a home-schooled student, inquired about capturing aliens on film, as Antonelli explained how astronauts will be returning for the first time in a long time to the moon as part of the Artemis project. The crew landing on the moon is scheduled for mid-2027. 

Antonelli is spending the week talking with students in Colorado Springs School District 11 about space and his two trips to space aboard the space shuttle as the pilot in 2009 and 2010. 

He has also been telling students about some of his failures, points in his life not mentioned on his official biography, like failing ninth-grade science. 

It’s an anecdote he tells to make the point: “It’s not being the best. It’s just doing your best each and every day.”

He also brings optimism to the seemingly insurmountable challenges the world is facing and imagines a future where we have the technologies to easily solve our problems. But the next generation has to be encouraged to pursue innovation, he said.

“We will only get those future technologies if we include every boy and girl that wants to help,” he said. 

Often students have decided not to pursue science, technology engineering or math fields by eighth grade, so it’s important to inspire young students and continue encouraging them through young adulthood, said Alex Grab, director of off-site programs for the Space Foundation

“They need to be able to see themselves and have role models and mentors in the STEM field,” Grab said. 

The Space Foundation works to help fill the need for STEM professionals by organizing events, such as astronaut visits, and training teachers to deliver space-centric curriculum across the country.

It’s an effort funded in part by L3Harris, to help fill the gap for new professionals in the work force.

Art Loureiro, director of the space defense solutions for the company, also highlighted the importance of mentoring even as young professionals start their careers. 

“Science doesn’t stop, engineering does not stop, technology, techniques do not stop. It always evolves,” he said.