NASA ACCP 2023

ASTRO CAMP®Teacher Appreciation

NASA ASTRO CAMP® Community Partners (ACCP) Educators

The NASA ACCP team would like to introduce and give a 

tremendous shout out to all of NASA ACCP Community 

educators, formal and informal, who work to bring STEM to all!!!

Thank You!!!!!
NASA ACCP 2023 

ASTRO CAMP® Teacher Appreciation

Aidan Schneider

Job Title: Director / Educator NASA ASTRO CAMP® Reno, Nevada

How did you become a NASA ASTRO CAMP® Community Partner?

I became a NASA ASTRO CAMP® Community Partner a year ago, after interning for NASA and 

learning about the program during a competition. This inspired me to share the wonders of space 

and engineering with my community. Today, I'm thrilled to report that my non-profit and 501(c)(3) 

organization The Phoenixes, has successfully taught NASA curriculum and topics to over 770 

students in Reno, Nevada. Our after-school and summer NASA ASTRO CAMPs are entirely free of 

charge, eliminating any financial barriers to accessing such an enriching learning opportunity.

Where is the location of your NASA ACCP site?

Thanks to the support of our 11 partner organizations, we are able to offer our free NASA ASTROCAMPS in multiple locations throughout Reno, Nevada and through Zoom. Our incredible partners, 

including the Washoe County Library System, The Boys and Girls Club of Truckee Meadows, The 

Community Foundation of Northern Nevada, the University of Nevada, Reno Innevation Center, and 

VoluntYou have generously provided us with the necessary resources and space to make these 

camps a reality. I am grateful for their contributions and look forward to continuing our partnership 

to inspire and educate more underserved students in the wonders of space and STEM.

What would you like to share about yourself?

I am a 16-year-old with a passion for engineering and the founder of my 501(c)(3) organization The Phoenixes, 

dedicated to cultivate community-wide STEM excellence. Growing up, I spent time in Albania due to my 

father's work. During my time there, I was lucky enough to have access to books and information that allowed 

me to expand my knowledge. However, I never had the opportunity to experience the wide-ranging, thoroughly 

informative, and fun materials that are offered through the NASA ASTRO CAMP® program. I truly believe that 

our ASTRO-Campers are incredibly fortunate to have access to this level of scientific knowledge. It serves as a 

gateway to the exciting world of STEM and can pave the way for a more useful and imaginative life. As 

someone who missed out on such opportunities in my younger years, I am thrilled to be part of the NASA 

ACCP Team leading the Next Generation of Earth and Space Explorers- the ARTEMIS Generation by 

establishing and running Nevada’s first NASA ASTRO CAMP.
NASA ACCP 2023

ASTRO CAMP®Teacher Appreciation

Catherine Burke

Job Title: I am a 5th grade math and science teacher.

How did you become a NASA ASTROCAMP® Community

Partner?

I found out about the opportunity from my daughter who 

is a children’s librarian in Charlotte County, FL. She and I 

both were excited to become facilitators for our individual 

sites.

Where is the location of your NASA ACCP site?

Gene Witt Elementary School in Bradenton, Florida

What would you like to share about yourself?

I have always had a love for science and I enjoy sharing my 

enthusiasm with students. We need more young people 

getting excited about science and asking questions

about their world.

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Insert your picture here!!!!
NASA ACCP 2023

ASTRO CAMP®Teacher Appreciation

Christopher Mick

Job Title: Education and Outreach for Space St. Croix

How did you become a NASA ASTRO

CAMP® Community Partner?

I saw information about the opportunity through my 

involvement with the NASA Informal Education 

Alliance.

Where is the location of your NASA ACCP site?

Hudson, Wisconsin

What would you like to share about yourself?

A passionate advocate for STEM education at all grade

levels and abilities.
NASA ACCP 2023

ASTRO CAMP®Teacher Appreciation

Gillian Rabalais

Job Title: STEM Teacher 

How did you become a NASA ASTRO CAMP® 

Community Partner?

This is Cedarwood School’s first year as a 

Community Partner! I have been a facilitator 

for five years through the ACCP program.

Where is the location of your NASA ACCP site?

Mandeville, LA

What would you like to share about yourself?

I love sharing my passion of space science with my

students. I am proud that we offer NASA science from our

youngest learners in PK-4 through our oldest learners in

7th grade. Go Snappers!

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a high-resolution image)

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NASA ACCP 2023

ASTRO CAMP®Teacher Appreciation

Lindsey Kunkel

Job Title: Interactive Science Specialist 

How did you become a NASA ASTROCAMP® 

Community Partner?

Through professional development & challenges at NASA 

Glenn in Cleveland

Where is the location of your NASA ACCP site?

We are located in Oregon, Ohio.

What would you like to share about yourself?

Hi, my name is Lindsey Kunkel. I have been an Interactive Science Specialist at the 

Challenger Center of Lake Erie West in Oregon, Ohio for 6 years. This will be our 

second year partnering with NASA Astro Camp! I have done various professional 

development, tours, and engineering design challenges at NASA Glenn in Cleveland 

which is how we heard about Astro Camp and becoming a collaborative partner. It’s 

a perfect way to use the up-to-date NASA curriculum for our summer camps. I 

absolutely love the activities our campers get to do from the Astro Camp

curriculum! It really brings the joy of space, travel, science, and working together to kids anywhere they may be! 
NASA ACCP 2023

ASTRO CAMP®Teacher Appreciation

Rachel Scheet

Job Title: Earth and Space Science Education Coordinator

How did you become a NASA ASTRO CAMP® 

Community Partner?

I found this opportunity on NASA CONNECTS.

Where is the location of your NASA ACCP site?

University of Nebraska State Museum 

What would you like to share about yourself?

This will be my first year participating in the 

NASA ASTRO CAMP®. I am very excited to share this with

our summer campers in a couple months!
NASA ACCP 2023

ASTRO CAMP®Teacher Appreciation

Jennifer Garcia

Job Title: Club Director

How did you become a NASA ASTRO CAMP® 

Community Partner?

The Boys & Girls Club of Greater Houston is 

partnered with this program and our 

members absolutely love it! 

Where is the location of your NASA ACCP site?

We are located in the Spring Branch area of Houston, TX.

What would you like to share about yourself?

I love my job and what I do. Not everyone gets to go to

work and actually make a difference. What we do is made 

possible by these types of partnerships, so for that I am 

grateful! My goal is to make a positive impact in the lives 

of as many of our youth as possible. 

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a high-resolution image)

Insert your picture here!!!!
NASA ACCP 2023

ASTRO CAMP®Teacher Appreciation

Tulane University Center for K-12 STEM Education

How did you become a NASA ASTRO CAMP® 

Community Partner?

Met the NASA community engagement team 

at a local STEM outreach event.

Where is the location of your NASA ACCP site?

Tulane University, New Orleans, LA

What would you like to share about yourself?

We (Center) love collaborating with the NASA team. The

excitement that both teachers and students express when 

exploring the team’s resource and participating 

in their workshops is the best!
NASA ACCP 2023

ASTRO CAMP®Teacher Appreciation

Sandra Hayes, STEM Teacher

I became a NASA ASTRO CAMP® 

Community Partner while working with 

middle and high school students at our 

summer camps. I’m looking forward to this 

summer, and more fun!

Where is the location of your NASA ACCP site?

Lake Charles, Louisiana

I love teaching Middle School STEM. I am the VEX

robotics Coach at F. K. White Middle School, and we made

it to the VEX World Championship this year! I also work 

with the Students participating in the Student Spaceflight 

Experiment Program at our school, and we are sending

Our 2nd experiment to the ISS this year.

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a high-resolution image)

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NASA ACCP 2023

ASTRO CAMP® Teacher Appreciation

George Corkern

Job Title: Robotics Program Coordinator 

YMCA of Bogalusa

How did you become a NASA ASTRO CAMP® 

Community Partner? 

Through a FIRST Robotics class held at Infinity 

Science Center

Where is the location of your NASA ACCPsite? 

YMCA of Bogalusa LA

What would you like to share about yourself?

Everyday is a gift and an opportunity to change the world 

and open someone’s life to the possibilities of what can be.
NASA ACCP 2023

ASTRO CAMP®Teacher Appreciation

LAWRENCE F D’SOUZA

Job Title: Astro Educator

How did you become a NASA ASTRO CAMP® 

Community Partner?

Applied through ASTRO CAMP® web

Where is the location of your NASA ACCP site?

Lawrence Eyes On Space(LEO-S) 

Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India

What would you like to share about yourself?

Having worked within astronomy education and outreach

for nearly 18 years, I am very passionate about bringing 

astronomy to students across India. I have a passion for

space exploration, Astro-modelling, Rocketry,

Astrophotography and telescope making.

An Astro-Educator at heart, and school principal 

by profession.

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a high-resolution image)

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NASA ACCP 2023 

ASTRO CAMP® Teacher Appreciation

Christopher Stone

Job Title: Teacher on Special Assignment and Director of CT STEM Academy

How did you become a NASA ASTRO 

CAMP® Community Partner?

I have been a NASA Astro Camp Community 

Partner since 2017. I have been engaging in 

NASA Educator programming since 1998.

Where is the location of your NASA ACCP site?

Wallingford, CT

What would you like to share about yourself?

I am a proud public school educator, father of three 

wonderful boys, and husband of Wendy. My wife and I will celebrate our 25th 

Wedding Anniversary this summer.
NASA ACCP 2023

ASTRO CAMP®Teacher Appreciation

Jessica Halsey

Job Title: Science Teacher

How did you become a NASA ASTRO

CAMP® Community Partner?

I found out about the program from a NASA 

3-D Thursday webinar for rural educators

Where is the location of your NASA ACCP site?

APW Jr/Sr HS in Parish, NY. We are a small rural school 

located in central New York, not too far from Lake Ontario

What would you like to share about yourself?

I am a huge Star Wars nerd and am already a crazy

cat lady.

Be on the lookout for your entry on NASA ACCP/Stennis’ Facebook, Twitter, andInstagram!
NASA ACCP 2023

ASTRO CAMP® TeacherAppreciation

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include a high-resolution 

image)

Insert your picture here!!!!

Amy Zientek, Ph.D.

Job Title: Science Teacher

How did you become a NASA ASTROCAMP® 

Community Partner?

I learned about the NASA ASTRO CAMP by attending a Webinar.

Where is the location of your NASA ACCPsite?

Milwaukee, WI

What would you like to share about yourself?

I'm excited to participate in this program, and I can't wait to bring the 

resources that are shared back to my students!
NASA ACCP 2023

ASTRO CAMP®Teacher Appreciation

Laura Juárez

Job Title: CT STEM Academy Facilitator / Robotics Director 

How did you become a NASA ASTRO

CAMP® Community Partner?

I became a partner working through the 

academy. The opportunity came along, took the 

training and have been leading Astro camps 

during the summer and the year. 

Where is the location of your NASA ACCP site?

CT STEM Academy in Wallingford, CT. 

What would you like to share about yourself?

Running Astro Camp is something I look forward to do every

summer. I have recently been recognized as The Connecticut 

Affiliate of the National Center for Women and Information Technology ( NCWIT)
NASA ACCP 2023

ASTRO CAMP®Teacher Appreciation

Ms. Jean-Marie Williams

Job Title:

• Engineering instructor and FIRST Robotics Coach 

to FLL team 4043, FTC team 8647, FTC team 9661, 

FTC team 10703, FTC team 18658, and FRC team 2080

How did you become a NASA ASTRO CAMP® 

Community Partner?

• Ms. Jean jumped at the chance to have our program 

become a collaborative partner just a as soon as the 

opportunity was made possible 7 years ago.

Where is the location of your NASA ACCP site?

• Hammond High Magnet School in Hammond, LA

What would you like to share about yourself?

• Ms. Jean was a 2021 FIRST Woodie Flowers finalist and a founding 

member of the Northshore STEM Coalition. She continues to 

encourage and inspire students in our area, with this years total 

of 97 FIRST Robotics students and 135 HHMS Engineering students.

#PutSTEMFIRST
NASA ACCP 2023

ASTRO CAMP®Teacher Appreciation

Charlene Nichols

Job Title: Children’s Librarian

How did you become a NASA ASTRO CAMP® 

Community Partner?

I was excited to do something special in 2017 for 

the 50th anniversary of NASA. I was excited to 

find out about the program

Where is the location of your NASA ACCP site?

The Alma Reaves Woods Watts Branch of the Los Angeles

Public Library (LAPL) 

What would you like to share about yourself?

Before working at LAPL I was an archivist for the Jet 

Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). I also won an award for

A science fiction short story that was presented to me by

Ray Bradbury!
NASA ACCP 2023 

ASTRO CAMP® Teacher Appreciation

Tracy Hoffman

Physical Science Teacher

PLTW: Introduction to Engineering, Principles of Engineering

FIRST FRC Mentor/Coach

FHS RoboDawgs, 2221 & VEX, 6463

Fontainebleau High School

Our team wanted to expand our current summer camp 

experience to include NASA ASTRO CAMP®. 

Our NASA ACCP - Summer Camp program is housed

at Fontainebleau High School in Mandeville, LA.

My greatest moments are those when I am able to see my

students/team members utilizing the skills learned and

passing on that knowledge to others; whether at a 

competition, outreach event or in the classroom. 

These moments are the reason for teaching.

(We would love for you to 

include a high-resolution 

image)

Insert your picture here!!!!
NASA ACCP 2023 

ASTRO CAMP® Teacher Appreciation

Alicia Fussell

English I, II and Technical Writing Resource Teacher

FIRST FRC Mentor/Coach

FHS RoboDawgs, 2221 & VEX, 6463

Fontainebleau High School

Our team wanted to expand our current summer camp 

experience to include NASA ASTRO CAMP®. 

Our NASA ACCP - Summer Camp program is housed

at Fontainebleau High School in Mandeville, LA.

My greatest moments are those when the RoboDawgs

explain a process or something that they created and I

understand the concepts. I explain to them that they 

do a great job in presenting to an English teacher. Another

moment that I love is when our former members show 

appreciation for the skills that I can teach them in communication and presenting. 

These moments are the reason for teaching.

(We would love for you to 

include a high-resolution 

image)

Insert your picture here!!!!
NASA ACCP 2023

ASTRO CAMP®Teacher Appreciation

Deborah Staber

Job Title: Museum Director

How did you become a NASA ASTRO CAMP® 

Community Partner?

I saw the information online.

Where is the location of your NASA ACCP site?

L. C. Bates Museum at Good Will-Hinckley, Hinckley, ME

What would you like to share about yourself?

I love sharing natural science information with children.
NASA ACCP 2023

ASTRO CAMP®Teacher Appreciation

Delores Clark

Job Title: Librarian

How did you become a NASA ASTRO CAMP® 

Community Partner?

We received the Astro Camp training and 

decided to have two sessions.

Where is the location of your NASA ACCP site?

We have classes at the Public Library for patrons

who sign up for the program.

What would you like to share about yourself?

I love science and share my enthusiasm with

the students.

(

Insert your picture here!!!!
NASA ACCP 2023

ASTRO CAMP®Teacher Appreciation

Maureen Davis

Job Title: Science Specialist

How did you become a NASA ASTRO CAMP® 

Community Partner?

Through professional development & challenges at 

NASA Glenn in Cleveland

Where is the location of your NASA ACCP site?

We are located in Oregon, Ohio.

What would you like to share about yourself?

Hello, I am Maureen Davis . I have been with Challenger Learning Center of Lake Erie West 

since 2012. At an early age I have had a fascination with space travel, reading science fiction, 

and loving to learn something new everyday about nature, space, birds and more! At the

Challenger Center I equally love working with our team and Glenn Research Center, running 

simulated missions and assisting during the "emergencies" that kids have to work together 

to solve. The looks of joy on their faces when they are successful are precious; I do enjoy 

inspiring students to pursue careers in STEM and in the space industry! When I am not at 

Challenger you can find me working with preschool children doing vision screenings, 

working in my gardens, or hanging out at the lake with my family and dogs and probably 

swimming, boating and fishing with our grandsons.
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