ASTRONAUT WINSTON SCOTT TO GIVE INSPIRING SCIENCE HALL OF FAME KEYNOTE
SCOTT
OVERCAME SEGREGATION, POVERY TO BE
THE SECOND AFRICAN-AMERICAN TO WALK IN SPACE.
News Date
February 25, 2010
Former NASA Astronaut Winston E. Scott - who overcame segregation and poverty to become a decorated U.S. Navy pilot and the second African-American to walk in space - will give an inspiring keynote presentation at the Da Vinci Science Center's 2010 Science Hall of Fame Awards on Saturday, April 24.
The 12th annual Science Hall of Fame Awards will headline the Center's Science Works 2010 celebration - a two-day showcase of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics in the Lehigh Valley. The Hall of Fame program will be held from 7:30-10 p.m. at The Swain School, Allentown on the 20th anniversary of the Hubble Space Telescope's launch. Lehigh University Professor Terry J. Hart, also a former NASA astronaut, is the Center's 2010 Science Hall of Fame Community Chairman. Event ticket sales will be announced shortly.
Since their inception
in 1999, the Science Hall of Fame Awards have honored teachers who bring science
to life in a dynamic manner, community leaders who support the Da Vinci Science
Center's mission, and high school students who demonstrate a unique passion
for science inside and outside the classroom.
After retiring from NASA and the Navy in 1999, Scott became vice president for student affairs at his alma mater, Florida State University. Scott also served as executive director of the Florida Space Authority and as a vice president and deputy general manager for Jacobs Engineering in Houston, Texas. Scott is currently the dean of the Florida Institute of Technology's College of Aeronautics in Melbourne, Fla.
Scott also is a motivational speaker who draws upon his life story to show that a person from any background can succeed with dedication and perseverance. His inspiring journey began in Miami's poor Coconut Grove neighborhood, where he received a segregated education until he began tenth grade. His family preached togetherness, punctuality, hard-work, and accountability.
Young Winston developed a fascination from watching the "Sky King" television show. Winston dreamt of flying himself, but his dream almost remained just that without access to the same resources enjoyed by other children.
Winston Scott also enjoyed music, and had a talent for it. When nearby Coral Gables High School integrated, he became the only African-American member of the school's elite competition band. As he chronicled in his 2005 book, "Reflections from Earth Orbit," Winston began to feel isolated and angry and began missing practices. Instead of kicking Winston out of the band, its director - a white man the students called "Uncle Willie" - allowed him to remain during his senior year.
Winston matured to become a decorated band section leader and solid student, but he was denied admission into Florida State University. When Winston finally had the courage to tell his band director that he was not accepted into Florida State, "Uncle Willie" made a phone call and sent Winston back to class without elaboration. Winston was admitted to Florida State a few weeks later.
Winston Scott earned a bachelor's degree in music from Florida State, but his desire to fly continued to flourish. With an aptitude for mathematics that first became apparent in segregated Miami schools, Scott earned admission into the Naval Aviation Officer Candidate School.
With access to resources once barred from him, Scott's talents, perseverance, and determination helped him fly as a U.S. Navy captain and become one of the chosen few who have soared beyond the Earth's limits.
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