As America Returns to the Moon, Amo Brings Astronaut Raja Chari, Who Spent 177 Days in Space, to Help RI Students Reach for the Stars
Congressman Amo and Astronaut Raja Chari spoke with students about the importance of scientific discovery.
Central Falls, Pawtucket & Providence, RI – TODAY, Congressman Gabe Amo (D-RI), Ranking Member of the Environment Subcommittee of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee, and NASA Astronaut Raja Chari visited Ella J. Risk Elementary School in Central Falls, Henry J. Winters Elementary School in Pawtucket, and the Brown University Planetary Education & Outreach Center to promote interest in science amongst students of all ages.
“Studying science helps students unlock new frontiers,” said Congressman Gabe Amo (D-RI-01), Ranking Member of the House Science, Space, and Technology Environment Subcommittee. “Astronaut Chari’s experiences as a test pilot and NASA astronaut who spent 177 days in space demonstrate to students that the sky’s the limit if you work hard and persevere. Thank you, Raja, for sharing your expertise, experiences, and passion with young Rhode Islanders!”
“After just coming back from Seattle, where I was working with one of our Artemis landers, to Houston to welcome home the Artemis 2 crew — and now here in Rhode Island,” said NASA Astronaut and U.S. Air Force Brigadier General Raja Chari. “It’s fitting, really. Because returning America to the Moon, and staying there, is going to take STEM investment from every corner of this country, coast to coast.”
“If you can see it, you can be it,” said Dr. Buddy Comet, Principal of Ella Risk Elementary School in Central Falls, RI. “The opportunity for our students to ask questions about science and space flight of a Congressman and an Astronaut, shows these young learners the opportunities that exist in this world and beyond. Thank you to Congressman Amo and Astronaut Chari, for taking the time to visit Ella Risk!”
“Our third through fifth graders were so excited to welcome Congressman Amo and Astronaut Chari to Henry J. Winters Elementary School,” said Dr. Mark Andrade Chief Operating Officer of Pawtucket Public Schools. “Experiences like this create lasting memories for our students and help spark curiosity, ambition, and a deeper connection to learning. Thank you to Congressman Amo and Astronaut Chari for their time, generosity, and commitment to our students. The presentation had a tremendous impact!!!”
“Our students are conducting groundbreaking planetary science right here in Providence,” said Dr. Ralph Milliken, Professor of Earth, Environmental, and Planetary Sciences at the Brown University Planetary Education and Outreach Center. “The opportunity to meet with an Astronaut who has traveled to the environments they study, literally brought to life the science for our student researchers. It was a great visit and an example of Brown’s longstanding collaboration with NASA!”
“It was an honor to join Congressman Amo at Henry J. Winters Elementary School to welcome Astronaut Raja Chari and bring such an extraordinary, real-world learning experience directly to our students,” said Pawtucket Mayor Donald Grebien. “Moments like this inspire imagination and remind our young people that there are no limits to what they can achieve. I’m grateful to everyone who made this visit possible and for helping to encourage a lifelong love of learning and exploration in the students of Winters.”
“This was a really special day for our Central Falls students. To hear directly from an astronaut like Raja Chari––to see his journey and his experiences––opens up a world of possibilities for our young people,” said Central Falls Mayor Maria Rivera. “It’s opportunities like this that can spark curiosity and help our students see themselves in paths they may have never imagined before. I’m grateful to Congressman Amo for making this visit possible and to Astronaut Chari for taking the time to inspire our next generation of leaders and explorers.”
Background
Congressman Amo is a long-time advocate of science education.
Astronaut Raja Chari was selected by NASA to join the 2017 Astronaut Candidate Class. He served as commander of the NASA SpaceX Crew-3 Mission and spent 177 days in orbit.
