Soccer and science are two of Jeremiah Poindexter's favorite things, and he learned Friday how the two are connected.
Poindexter, an eighth-grader at Orchard Knob Middle School, sat up straight in his chair Friday morning as his science class started learning about how aerodynamics affect soccer balls.
"I didn't know there was this much science in soccer," Poindexter said after class.
Poindexter's excitement to make connections between science and his life is one of the reasons Barbie Buckner, education specialist at NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center, said she loves making the work NASA is doing relevant and exciting to kids.
Buckner was visiting Orchard Knob from California, and gave the students a crash-course in aerodynamics and how it affects everything from soccer balls to planes. She showed pictures and video demonstrations of the new plane NASA is developing called Ikhana, an unmanned aircraft.
Shanice Moore, also an Orchard Knob eighth-grader, said it was really cool to have someone from across the country visit the school and teach a special science class.
"It's nice to know more about what's going on in the air and with these planes," Moore said.
Christopher Belisle, an eighth-grade science teacher at Orchard Knob Middle School, said he asked Buckner to visit his class because he tries to expose his students to as many opportunities as possible.
"It shows them what they can do," he said.
For Buckner, talking about NASA's work is exciting, but what she really loves about her job is being able to share her story with students.
Buckner told the students seated in rows of the school's auditorium that she was the first person in her family to attend college.
"Look at me," she said. "I went to school and now work [at] NASA."
Orchard Knob Middle School is a school that educates a large share of poor students, and Buckner reminded the children that education is what provides opportunities.
"Education is one of those things no one can ever take away from you," Buckner said, as the kids nodded their heads in agreement.
Contact staff writer Kendi Anderson at kendi.anderson@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6592. Follow on twitter @kendi_and.