Space has a way of sneaking past our everyday defenses. Put a meteorite in a kid’s hand -- an actual fragment of the solar system -- and the room changes. Eyes widen. Questions fire. Suddenly, science isn’t an abstract chapter in a textbook; it’s a tangible piece of cosmic history sitting in their palm.

That’s the heart of what this outreach work is about.

I visit classrooms, libraries, and community groups to share real meteorites from my personal collection, explain how these ancient rocks formed, and help students explore the story of our solar system using the scientific method. Students examine meteorites up close, learn how scientists identify space rocks, and discover what these specimens reveal about planets, asteroids, and the building blocks of life.

Because the Rural Technology Fund has shown me for years how curiosity can change a student’s entire trajectory, I build each visit around the same mission: spark wonder, give access, and open doors to STEM for kids who may have never imagined themselves as scientists.

Presentations are flexible for grade level and time, and I bring everything needed: giant iron meteorite, polished meteorite slices, thin sections for microscopies, and engaging stories from real-world meteorite hunting and recovery. Whether it’s a single class, a whole grade, or a themed school event, or public outreach, the goal is always the same: connect people with the universe in a way that stays with them long after I pack up the meteorites.

Where age appropriate, Reading Milo and the Midnight Meteorite to students has become one of my favorite parts of these visits. It’s a story I wrote to ignite curiosity, and when kids hear about Milo’s late-night discovery, you can practically feel the room lean in. As we read along together, we talk about the real science behind the story -- how meteorites travel through space, why they look the way they do, and what makes them special. The book becomes a bridge between imagination and scientific reality, giving students a narrative they can hold onto as they explore actual meteorites right afterward. Pairing a story with real specimens turns the lesson into something memorable, especially for younger learners who connect deeply through storytelling.