West Virginia astronaut inspires future stars at Huntington Children’s Museum – MU The Parthenon

Emily Calandrelli, the first West Virginian scheduled to go into space in 2026 signed copies of her books at the Huntington Children’s Museum on Thursday, October 24.

“Seeing all these little scientists and especially all these little girls so excited about science makes me so excited,” Calandrelli said. “They fuel the work I do, and so much of that work is done on the road and alone, so I don’t always get to meet the people who look at the things I create.”

Calandrelli was signing several of her children’s books that she has written, including the “Ada Lace” series and other stand-alone books such as “Reach for the Stars.”

At the signing, children were dressed as astronauts and other scientists.

Elliot Stewart, who works at the Children’s Museum, said the museum is a “champion of STEAM learning” and Calandrelli is a huge inspiration to the children of West Virginia.

“Just seeing the kids’ faces when she came out made it all worth it,” he said.

Calandrelli also had a film crew at the event, gathering footage for her new TV show, titled “Xploration Outer Space.”

Calandrelli’s space travel will be partially funded by the Wing 2 Wing Foundation, which is a nonprofit organization created by Marshall University President Brad Smith and his wife, Alice Smith.

You can contact Wade Sullivan at [email protected]