Honors Astronomy students at EHS ventured to the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Morris University Center on Tuesday to get an out-of-classroom learning experience as they attended SIUE’s “Thinking About Space” colloquium.

The colloquium was led by Story Musgrave, a 77-year-old former astronaut whose life achievements were literally “out of this world.”  Musgrave’s presentation was a look into his life and inspiration for attendees of the conference to pursue their dreams.

“Work hard at what you’re good at,” he advised.

Musgrave was a NASA astronaut for over thirty years and was the lead spacewalker on the Hubble Telescope repair mission.  He is an extremely knowledgeable speaker and worked as an electrician, mechanic and pilot in the marines, in addition to his 7 graduate degrees in math, computers, chemistry, medicine, physiology, literature and psychology. To top it off, he was also a trauma surgeon and has been awarded 20 honorary doctorates.

Senior astronomy student Brendan Colligan attended the colloquium and said it was a great way to supplement his classroom experience.

“It’s a great way to learn, listening to people who have done great things,” Colligan said. “Most people haven’t been to space once, but he’s been multiple times. He has a ton of great experience.”