Host School for the presentation

Stapleton School
Stapleton, Al
https://www.stapletonelementary.com/ 

Invitees in addition to host school: All schools participating in the DHEDF Rural STEM Initiative are invited to join the live presentation and submit questions to the presenter in Zoom Chat. The presenter will respond to the questions in Chat following the live presentation and the live presentation and responses to the Chat questions will be recorded and the recording will be posted on DHEDF [see https://dhedf.org/videos/category/rural-stem-videos] and UTSA social media within 10 days following the live presentation.

Date: 9 Dec 2025
Time: 9:30a.m. – 10:45a.m. CT
Grade level to be presented to:  3rd -6th grade
Topic: “Learn all about Astronaut Training and Space Exploration with Dr. Larry DeLucas, a former astronaut. His presentation covers Larry's time in space and the discoveries of space exploration!”
Length of presentation: one (1) hour

Presenter:

Dr. Lawrence J. DeLucas
President and co-founder of Soluble Biotech, Inc.
Principal Scientist at The Aerospace Corporation
https://solublebiotech.com/  
https://aerospace.org/   

Dr. DeLucas is the President and co-founder of Soluble Biotech, Inc. and on a part-time basis he also serves as a Principal Scientist at the Aerospace Corporation.  He was previously a Professor in the School of Optometry, Senior Scientist and Director of the Comprehensive Cancer Center X-ray Core Facility, and Director of the Center for Structural Biology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB).  Dr. DeLucas received five degrees from UAB culminating in a Doctor of Optometry degree and a Ph.D. degree in Biochemistry. He also received honorary Doctor of Science degrees from The Ohio State University, Ferris State University, the State University of New York (SUNY), and the Illinois College of Optometry. He has published 164 peer-reviewed research articles in various scientific journals, co-authored and edited several books on protein crystal growth and membrane proteins and is a co-inventor on 43 patents involving protein crystal growth, novel biotechnologies and structure-based drug design.

Dr. DeLucas was a member of the 7-person crew of Space Shuttle Columbia for Mission “STS-50”, called the United States Microgravity Laboratory-1 (USML-1) Spacelab mission. Columbia launched on June 25, 1992, returning on July 9.  In 1994 and 1995, Dr. DeLucas served as the Chief Scientist for the International Space Station at NASA Headquarters in Washington, D.C.

Zoom details

Join Zoom Meeting
https://utsa.zoom.us/j/99580272368 

Meeting ID: 995 8027 2368

PATHWAYS TO THE SKIES

Building Bridges to Aviation Careers

A Two-Day Free Virtual Symposium for Tribal Youth, Young Professionals 

& Tribal Communities

Hosted by the Native American Aviation Association (NAAA)

February 10th & 11th 2026

To Learn More Visit: https://www.nativeaviation.org/ 

SAVE THE DATE: February 10-11, 2026 | Dallas, TX

Accelerating Implementation: A Statewide Summit on Broadband as Economic Development

 The Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas and Texas Rural Funders invite local broadband leaders to join a two-day gathering on transforming broadband plans into engines of economic growth.  

For further details see: https://us2.campaign-archive.com/?e=__test_email__&u=af22dbfc67222a97c4633c9c1&id=e544beeee8 

Science is Cool: Antarctic Science Free Virtual Field Trip

Tuesday, February 10,2026

10:00-11:30a.m. Mountain Time

Join PBS science journalist Miles O’Brien and scientists LIVE from Antarctica-exploring climate solutions at Earth’s edge.

Your grades 6-12 students will connect directly with researchers aboard the RV Araon returning from Thwaites Glacier, learning how their discoveries help communities adapt to a changing climate.

LEARN MORE: https://www.thepocketlab.com/events/antartica-virtual-field-trip?utm_campaign=12944157-AI%20Newsletter&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9my2Y-mdnqSipn_BdLT4clSp-cPK-vJxYp0zXCnKDu9CMyIzk3A4iNd-odjj-DJOCTUzA0I1P1dkEhgPb6kdyWM-lkMg&_hsmi=396602114&utm_content=396602114&utm_source=hs_email 

Title: Launch of DHEDF Early Childhood Discussion Group

Date: 19 Feb 2026

Time: 4p.m-5p.m. CT

Topic: “Why STEM in Early Childhood: How do we Begin?”

Moderator: 

John Green-Otero
Chief Innovation Officer
Pre-K 4 SA
https://prek4sa.com/ 
https://prek4sa.com/about-pre-k-4-sa/team/ 

John Green-Otero’s career spans roles as a classroom teacher, instructional coach, district administrator, leadership coach, national speaker, and education consultant. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership, and certification in neuro-sequential models in education.

Green-Otero’s expertise includes equity of access, innovation, brain-based pedagogy, and collective impact. He has served on numerous advisory councils and boards including Partners in Education, Any Given Child, and was vice-chair of the city of Austin’s Early Childhood Council. At Pre-K 4 SA, he focuses on creating innovative, developmentally safe learning environments that foster curiosity, critical thinking, and equitable opportunities for all children.

Zoom details

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87857976701?pwd=W9k5AOphoU3HtKsixllM9wOCzkmlTd.1 

Meeting ID: 878 5797 6701

Passcode: 507445

InSimEd 2026 Virtual Space Design Competition

Date: 11 & 12 April 2026

Location: Virtual

Cost:100% Off for all qualified students attending a DHEDF Rural STEM Initiative Participating School

DHEDF is pleased to announce that DHEDF and Industry Simulation Education (InSimEd) will be collaborating to help spread the word about InSimEd resources and programing .To commemorate the launch of the DHEDF-InSimED collaboration, InSimEd has graciously agreed to offer 100% off the attendance fee to the InSimED 2026 Virtual Space Design Competition to be held on 11 & 12 April 2026 to all students attending a DHEDF Rural STEM Participating School.

For further details concerning this event and other InSimEd programing and resources we invite you to view the attached flyer and the InSimEd website.

If your school has not yet joined the DHEDF Rural STEM Initiative it is not to late to join to take advantage of this offer from InSinEd. All rural and urban schools from birth through 12th grade are invited to become a DHEDF Participating School at no charge (except for the Membership Section which is purely voluntary) by clicking on the link below and filling out and submitting the online form:

Useful links

DHEDF Rural STEM Initiative Signup - https://dhedf.org/rural-stem-signup 

InSimEd website - https://www.insimeducation.com/ 

Attached flyer

EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2026 
July 20 - 26, 2026
https://www.eaa.org/airventure

2026 National Forum to Advance Rural Education
October 19–21, 2026 | San Antonio, Texas
https://nrea.net/  

Note: Stay tuned for further updates as they become available.