On Wednesday, April 12, 2023, Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17) welcomed NASA Astronaut Kate Rubins to the Quad Cities to meet with students and emphasize the importance of science and education.

“In 20 years, when we’re sending the next generation of explorers to Mars, they’re going to be the kids sitting in our elementary schools today,” said Congressman Sorensen. “It’s so important to introduce our kids to the wonders of science so those scientists and thinkers can grow up in places like Central and Northwestern Illinois.”

On Wednesday, Sorensen and Dr. Rubins hosted a forum at Black Hawk College. The following day, the pair visited classrooms and participated in an assembly at Hamilton Elementary School, where students asked questions about being in space and becoming an astronaut.

Dr. Rubins has a background in biology and studied viral diseases before becoming a NASA astronaut in July 2009. She has been on four spacewalks and has spent 300 days in space. 

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Sean Leary Director of Digital Media

Sean Leary is an author, director, artist, musician, producer and entrepreneur who has been writing professionally since debuting at age 11 in the pages of the Comics Buyers Guide. An honors graduate of the University of Southern California masters program, he has written over 50 books including the best-sellers The Arimathean, Every Number is Lucky to Someone and We Are All Characters.