NASA’s legacy in Richmond Hill

Seven years ago, Simcha Waisman collaborated with NASA and developed a research and education program for elementary school children throughout Richmond Hill.
Now, with NASA’s final shuttle mission completed, Waisman, of the One Stop Richmond Hill Community Center, reminisced about what the children learned over the years.
“The programs were to benefit the future of these kids,” said Waisman. “If you want kids to learn, they need a program like this, they need to be encouraged and motivated.”
The children were able to learn about space shuttles and travel from experts using videoconferencing.
Waisman believes the children were interested in learning because they were receiving the hands-on experience they cannot always get in the classroom.
“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” he said. “I’ve been invited by astronauts to watch launches and the NASA administration taught me a lot that I can bring back to the community. I only wish the future generations had the opportunities I did.”