You are invited to our upcoming Exhibition for Middle School and High School heroes. We have arranged for some amazing experts to join us on this occasion.

During the Middle School Exhibition, heroes will present their plan to NASA to stay on the moon for two weeks!

In addition, the High School heroes will participate in a mock presidential debate, showcasing their knowledge and skills in a simulated political environment.

We look forward to seeing you on Tuesday, March 26!

This event is open to the public and will be held at the following dates and times…

Middle School (ages 11-14), Tuesday, March 26 @ 4:30-5:45pm
High School (ages 14-18), Tuesday, March 26 @ 6:15-7:30pm

Park at the Shipyard parking lot and walk to the school. We will have a food truck available for purchases. Bring your lawn chair!

Meet Our Experts

Michael Fossum

Michael E. Fossum currently serves as a Vice President of Texas A&M University, the Chief Operating Officer of the Galveston Campus, and the Superintendent of the Texas A&M Maritime Academy. Fossum joined Texas A&M following his retirement from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) – Johnson Space Center in 2017.

Fossum is a veteran of three space flights with more than 194 days in space and more than 48 hours in seven spacewalks during his 19 years as an astronaut. During his last mission in 2011, Fossum served as the Commander of the International Space Station. He has logged over 2,000 hours in 35 different aircraft throughout the course of his career. Fossum earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Texas A&M University and was commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Air Force in 1980. He is also a graduate of the US Air Force Test Pilot School and has earned Master of Science degrees in Systems Engineering and Physical Science/Space Science.

Fossum was born in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and grew up in McAllen, Texas.

COMMANDER BOBBY R. JONES, UNITED STATES NAVY (RET.)

CDR Bobby R. Jones, USN (Ret.) is from Fayetteville, Georgia, and graduated from The Westminster Schools of Atlanta. After accepting an appointment to the United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, he lettered in Football and Track and was designated a Surface Warfare Officer upon commissioning with the Class of 2001. He received his Master’s Degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the United States Naval War College. He is currently pursuing a second Master’s Degree at the School for Public and International Affairs at the University of Georgia.

CDR Jones’ at-sea assignments have been as Deck Officer onboard USS Germantown (LSD 42) and USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49), Fire Control Officer onboard USS Normandy (CG 60), Weapons and Combat Systems Officer onboard USS Stethem (DDG 63), and Executive Officer USS Anzio (CG 68) and Coastal Riverine Squadron FOUR (CRS-4). He participated in Operations Enduring Freedom, Noble Eagle, Inherent Resolve, and the recovery of 10 detained American Sailors near Farsi Island. Ashore, CDR Jones's past assignments include Admissions Counselor at the United States Naval Academy, Peacekeeper for the United Nations Mission in Liberia, Wargames Planner for the Missile Defense Agency, and Executive Assistant to the Commander of Military Sealift Command.

He assumed duties as Commanding Officer of Maritime Expeditionary Security Squadron FOUR (MSRON-4) in May 2020. While in command, he deployed and also assumed duties as Commander, Task Group 56.7, where he led various missions in the Fifth Fleet Area of Responsibility (Middle East), including force protection of American assets and infrastructure, assisting in the Afghanistan Evacuation Mission and strategic cooperative engagements with key American allies. For his final tour, he was responsible for the teaching and training of Midshipmen (students) at Morehouse College and the Georgia Institute of Technology as Deputy Commander of NROTC Atlanta Region. CDR Jones retired from Active Duty on September 30th, 2023.

RUTH MALHOTRA

Ruth Malhotra is the manager for strategic partnerships at Blue Trust.

In this position, Ruth builds and fosters relationships with key partners, including missionally aligned financial service firms, ministries, and institutional clients.

For over 15 years, Ruth has worked with a variety of organizations and individuals with the goal of helping Christians effectively cultivate and steward influence in the public square. Previously, Ruth managed public relations for Ravi Zacharias International Ministries (RZIM) and worked in communications at First Baptist Church Atlanta’s Global Missions Ministry. She was also actively involved in the Republican Party, working on several statewide and national campaigns, including Bush-Cheney 2004, Mitt Romney for President 2008, and Romney-Ryan 2012. Her focus areas include religious liberty, free speech, pro-life efforts, and higher education reform.

The daughter of Indian immigrants, Ruth graduated from the Georgia Institute of Technology with highest honors with her BS and master’s degree in international affairs and public policy.

Ruth lives in Atlanta, GA.

SAMUEL WAKEFIELD

Samuel Wakefield is a social entrepreneur whose work is focused on building a movement of liberated, organized, and mobilized black and brown families defining success on their terms. As the Founding Partner and Chief Visionary for The Wakefield Group, the concept of collective leadership is central to his theory of change. Systemic change requires collective leadership. Transforming systems is ultimately about transforming the relationships among the people who control those systems and the people whom those systems impact, so his work seeks to do just that.

Samuel has nearly two decades of education experience as a practitioner and a thought leader. Much of his work has been as a coach and chief facilitator for school leaders through Innovation for Liberation (TM), an organization dedicated to helping black families thrive. As a member of DEI Works, he also helps schools and organizations advance issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion in their strategy and organizational development. Samuel has also chaired or co-chaired multiple school boards and educational nonprofits and is currently chair of Chattahoochee Hills Charter School. Most recently, he has served as the Interim Head of School for the Acton Academy at Serenbe, helping to reset culture, onboard new leadership, and articulate a clear vision for this innovative model.

Prior to this, he has served in a variety of leadership roles, including at Teach For America, leading Teaching and Learning, Fulton County Schools serving as their Strategy and Innovation Facilitator for South Fulton, and Atlanta Public Schools, where he first began as an elementary teacher.

Samuel's undergraduate background from Emory University is in Political Science and Economics, with a minor in Community Building and Social Change. He acquired his Master's in Public Administration from Georgia State's Andrew Young School of Public Policy with concentrations in Nonprofit Management and Leadership Development.

Ever the character, his most important roles are husband and father to four precocious daughters. He’s also a published author on fatherhood, avid education blogger, and wannabe superhero.

Jessica Eck

Jessica Craddock Eck is the District Legislative Liaison for Congressman Drew Ferguson. She is a Fayette County native who received her undergraduate degree in International Affairs with a minor in Communication Studies at the University of Georgia where she was a Coca-Cola First Generation Scholar. During her time at UGA she participated in the UGA Washington Semester Program and the UGA Oxford study abroad semester. Jessica received her law degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and returned to Georgia’s 3rd district with her husband Tyler, who works in state government. She has worked for Congressman Ferguson since his election in 2017, previously working with Congressman Lynn Westmoreland.

Announcing our Debate Moderators!