Brooke Patterson, a junior at the University of North Alabama (UNA), found herself as a NASA education intern this summer, turning the Artemis program into engaging lessons for K-12 students. As the first education intern in the Alabama Space Grant Consortium’s partnership with UNA, she’s merging her double major in secondary education and mathematics with space exploration, proving that STEM fields can interconnect in unexpected ways.
Under the guidance of outreach coordinator Melissa Simmons, Patterson created age-appropriate presentations about Artemis, NASA’s mission to return humans to the Moon. Simmons noted that Patterson’s work will inspire classrooms across Alabama long after her internship concluded.
UNA joined the ASGC to provide students access to scholarships, fellowships, and hands-on experiences related to NASA’s goals. Dr. Matt Green, associate dean of Spencer College, emphasized the value of these opportunities. Patterson aims to make complex NASA concepts understandable for young students, shaping her future teaching approach.
