Rodeo Houston Honors NASA Night at NRG Stadium

by Sumer Loggins | 2023-03-15

On Wednesday, March 8, 2023, over 146,000 fans gathered at the NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas. In honor of Community Day, all were admitted free before noon and enjoyed discounts on rides, games, and snacks. NASA’s Johnson Space Center participated in the festivities and hosted an exhibit for the first time in 14 years, creating an opportunity to promote STEM engagement to both students and parents.

The exhibit included a custom-built “Giant Leaps Start Here” banner, and spacecraft models, including Orion, Starliner, and Crew Dragon. Attendees also enjoyed seeing the types of food astronauts eat aboard the International Space Station, tried on a real-life spacesuit glove, and joined in for a photo-op with NASA’s Mark III space shuttle spacesuit.

Additionally, Johnson was invited as the guest of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo™ for a NASA night on Thursday, March 9, 2023, kicking off rodeo activities with a grand-entry parade. Rodeo fans watched a recorded message from astronauts aboard the International Space Station play on the jumbotron. The Rodeo Houston members recognized Johnson center leadership, senior staff, and program directors, commemorating a 24-year partnership based on a common goal: educating the next generation of game-changers.

One of Johnson's STEM engagement programs, High School Aerospace Scholars (HAS), has flourished thanks to Rodeo Houston's continued involvement and investment. The program immerses students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics activities. After the Texas high school juniors complete the 16-week online and six-day virtual components of HAS, they could apply for a NASA internship and Rodeo Houston and Rotary National Award for Space Achievement scholarships.