Veterans Share STEM Stories With Maine Homeschoolers
The Challenger Learning Center of Maine hosted a free virtual event pairing homeschooling students with former NASA and Navy veterans.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Homeschooling
The Challenger Learning Center of Maine, in partnership with the Cole Land Transportation Museum, hosted a free Veterans of STEM event for homeschooling students. Students took part in virtual Q&A sessions with former NASA astronaut William Readdy and former Navy pilot Colleen Nevius.
Why it matters
The program connects students with veterans working in science, technology, engineering and math, offering direct exposure to careers in those fields. It also gives homeschooled students in Maine access to structured STEM programming outside a traditional classroom.
The event was free and open to homeschooling students and was co-hosted with the Cole Land Transportation Museum. Two veteran speakers, William Readdy and Colleen Nevius, joined by virtual Q&A.
The players
Challenger Learning Center of Maine
A STEM education center in Maine that runs hands-on science programs and hosted the Veterans of STEM event.
William Readdy
A former NASA astronaut and U.S. Navy veteran who participated in the virtual Q&A with students.
Colleen Nevius
A former Navy pilot and the first woman to graduate from the U.S. Navy test pilot school, who joined the virtual Q&A.
The details
Emma Campbell, lead STEM educator at the Challenger Learning Center of Maine, facilitated the event. After the virtual discussion, students could interview a Maine veteran or write a thank you card to the speakers.
Timeline
The Challenger Learning Center of Maine plans its next event for families over Thanksgiving weekend.
Roadmap
Homeschooling has grown as a non-traditional path for families seeking flexible education, and STEM outreach from veterans and former astronauts offers a way to supplement that learning. Programs like this one extend NASA-linked outreach to students outside conventional classrooms.
Families interested in similar programs can look for free or low-cost STEM events offered through local science centers and museums. Checking event listings ahead of time helps homeschooling families plan around community programming.
The takeaway
Hands-on contact with veterans and former astronauts can make STEM careers feel concrete for young learners. Families seeking structured science enrichment can look for community programs that bring working professionals into the conversation.
What happens next
The Challenger Learning Center of Maine plans its next event for families over Thanksgiving weekend.
Further reading
For more on alternative schooling options, explore Homeschooling coverage on the site.
Source note: This article includes information reported by FOX 22/ABC 7.
