By Prof. Mark Baraket( M. S. Astrophysics, UC-Berkeley)

THE ROCKET GARDEN AT THE KSC VISITOR COMPLEX FEATURES EIGHT AUTHENTIC ROCKETS FROM THE PAST,

INCLUDING A MERCURY-ATLAS ROCKET. Photo credit: NASA

Hello future astronauts, scientists and aerospace engineers!

My name is Professor Mark Baraket— I teach aeronautics and aerospace classes for kids ages 8-13 at Quantum Academy, an online afterschool program.

Just like you, I am fascinated by outer space and many aspects of science. Watching sci-fi movies growing up, I realized it was always the scientist that saved the day, so I always wanted to be a scientist. Scientists save mankind from diseases, discover exciting new frontiers, and explore things large and small, from subatomic particles to galaxy systems.

I started out as a microbiology technologist, then switched from microscope to telescope. I became an astronomer, astrophysicist, NASA collaborator, pilot and a Certified Space Ambassador for the National Space Society in Washington, DC. I worked as a science lecturer at schools from elementary to high school in the United States and abroad.