Submitted photo Boardman Center Intermediate School science Teacher Megan Turillo, left, leads a Q&A with NASA engineer and 2000 Boardman High School graduate Nicholas Mastramico, who has been working on various stages of the Artemis mission for 14 years. Students did a Zoom call with him Feb. 20.

BOARDMAN — More than 200 Boardman fifth graders enjoyed a rare, behind-the-scenes look at space exploration during two virtual learning sessions with Boardman alum and NASA structural engineer Nick Mastramico.

The Zoom sessions, which took place Feb. 20 at Boardman Center Intermediate School, marked Mastramico’s return to Boardman classrooms nearly two years after he was the keynote speaker at the district’s Night With NASA event before the total solar eclipse in April 2024.

This time, students connected virtually with Mastramico as he prepares for the upcoming Artemis mission, NASA’s next journey to the moon.

During the sessions, students learned what it takes to design and prepare the Artemis rocket for launch and were fascinated to discover that the four astronauts on the mission will spend about 10 days in a section of the spacecraft roughly the size of a minivan. Mastramico explained the many safety checks, tests and procedures that must be completed before launch, giving students a real-world look at engineering in action. Mastramico also shared his personal journey, telling students he knew he wanted to work for NASA as early as sixth grade.

“I knew I liked to build things, and it was always my goal,” he said.

Now a structural engineer at Marshall Space Flight Center, he spoke about how much he loves his job and the excitement of contributing to human spaceflight. He encouraged students to dream big, explore what they enjoy and think about where their strengths lie — reminding them that big goals often start with curiosity.