National Space Club encourages Journey Math Team with grant

MADISON – The brilliant minds of National Space Club members acknowledged the brilliance of young minds in Math Team at Journey Middle School with a grant and an invitation to speak at the club’s breakfast meeting on Jan. 21.

Journey students “spoke about what the math team is, how they compete, their incredible level of success over the past two years, how grateful they are that their city and school both value their hard work and to thank National Space Club for their sponsorship,” Math Team Coach Mrinal Joshi said. Joshi is Mathematics Department Head.

Students representing Journey were Kylie Zou, Esteban Jerez, Wylie Savage, Rachel Harris, Ananya Bhovi, Antonio Hughes, Caden Howard, Neil Dube, Ike Farounbi and Ivy Zhang.

To nurture a crucial real- world skill, Joshi designated the entire speaking/presentation to students, who thoroughly impressed adults in the room. “Of course, I’m my students’ number one fan always,” Joshi said. She saw her students’ confidence in presenting to the large audience of approximately 500 adults.

Following Journey’s educational presentation, Joseph Pelfrey, Director of NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, was featured speaker. The experience “was an incredible opportunity for the Journey team to hear Mr. Pelfrey speak about the last 65 years at NASA and new forward missions that will bring us to the moon and Mars,” Joshi said.

“The team met amazing leaders across our space and defense industry . . . many were so impressed with the team that they were ready to recruit the students now,” Joshi said.

Industry professionals who attended included Rae Ann Meyer, MSFC Deputy Director; Burke Hare, Site Director, Space Development Agency, Redstone Arsenal; Joe Fitzgerald, previous Civilian Aide to Secretary of the Army, United States Army; Alice Lessman, Madison Board of Education member; Robert A. Frederick Jr., Director, Propulsion Research Center, University of Alabama in Huntsville; Helen Lein, UAH Senior Development Officer; Matt Doude, Space Growth Lead, Leidos; and Joe Iacuzzo, Director, Alabama Science Festival.

National Space Club Board members are Steve Cash, Terry Abel, Andy Johnson, Maggie Lee, Reggie Spivey and Julie Savage, who arranged Journey’s attendance at the club meeting. Savage is Director for Growth, Threat and Cyber Division, at Leidos.

“Julie Savage has been the biggest blessing in my classroom,” Joshi said. Savage’s son Wylie participates in Math Team. “We teachers are blessed when parents support us in guiding their children. Julie Savage is so motivating. I love my job even more when I have a student’s parent like her.”

“National Space Club accepted my grant request and sponsored $1,500,” Joshi said. Club Director Julie Savage invited Journey Math Team to attend.

The grant funded sweatshirts/ jackets for Math Team students to instill school spirit and pride while representing Madison City Schools in state and national competitions. Students submitted sweatshirt designs and voted on the most popular. The team wore student-designed sweatshirts to the club’s breakfast.

“We chose this opportunity to educate attending dignitaries about Journey Math Team and thank National Space Club for their generous sponsorship to my team,” Joshi said.

Team member Wylie Savage said, “There he is!” when he first saw Pelfrey as they entered the Jackson Center. “It was incredible getting to meet and take our picture with the director of NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center.”

“My favorite part was getting to meet some really smart leaders that make a big difference in how we get to space and what we do there,” Wylie said.

Wylie admitted he was nervous while speaking to 500 people. “I was glad I practiced what I was going to say. And I got a few laughs from the audience.”

National Space Club – Huntsville, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, fosters excellence in space activity by interaction between industry and government, along with continuing educational support. With its activities and awards, Space Club Huntsville promotes space leadership and education by promoting youth experiences with scholarships, fellowships and internships.