International Collaboration Brings Space Exploration and STEM Experiences to Ohio Students

Plain City, Ohio -- Sat, April 20, 2026 at 10:00 PM EDT — Jonathan Alder Local Schools successfully hosted its highly anticipated 3rd Space Day on April 11, 2026, at Canaan Middle School, welcoming more than 1,500 students, families, educators, and community members for a full day dedicated to STEM learning, innovation, and space exploration.

Sponsored by Amazon, the event featured 51 interactive space-themed activity stations, live demonstrations from COSI, and a massive 36-foot inflatable Space Shuttle slide, transforming the campus into an immersive celebration of science and discovery.

This growing collaboration traces its origins back nearly three years, when a group of teachers from Jonathan Alder Local Schools traveled to Florida’s Space Coast through the support of Amazon Web Services (AWS). Invited by KSCIA – International Space Academy, the educators participated in an immersive professional development experience led by Carla Michaelis, Jefferson Michaelis, and the KSCIA team, learning firsthand about innovative space education programs and strategies designed to inspire students through authentic STEM experiences.

Since then, the partnership has continued to grow through the active collaboration of The Michaelis Foundation for Global Education, whose mission of expanding access to science and space education has helped strengthen the initiative and bring transformative opportunities to students and educators in Ohio.

“What began as an educational exchange on the Space Coast evolved into a powerful collaboration capable of inspiring entire communities through science and space exploration,” said Carla Michaelis, Co-Founder of The Michaelis Foundation. “Seeing students and families so engaged during Space Day is a beautiful reminder that curiosity, mentorship, and opportunity can truly change lives.”

​One of the major highlights of the event was the special appearance of Don Thomas, former NASA astronaut and Ohio native, who inspired students by sharing stories from his Space Shuttle missions and discussing the future of human exploration through the Artemis II mission. The event drew strong participation from local families and received media coverage from NBC4 Columbus.

The success of the 3rd Space Day reinforces the growing importance of international collaboration, educator empowerment, and hands-on STEM experiences in preparing the next generation of innovators, explorers, and problem-solvers.
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For more information about future Space Day initiatives and educational collaborations, visit:  ScienceDays.org
Media Contact: Ana Shantal