East Muskingum Science Day features Muskie grad, NASA researcher

NEW CONCORD, Ohio- East Muskingum Local Schools hosted their 2nd Annual Science Day.

John Glenn High School was home to a science fair and career expo on Monday. The activities were aimed for students interested in the science fields, and even featured a former Muskie graduate.

Nicholas Thomas has his PhD in physics and is an Astrophysicist at the NASA Goddard Flight Center. He was invited back to give some perspective on his life in both research and development as well as studying physics in university.

“I remember people coming here from NASA and talking to me,” Thomas said.

He said he’s always been motivated to be a scientist and the featured speakers he listened to in his younger years really had a positive effect on his life.

“The fact that I get to do it and talk a little bit about the research I do, it really means a lot and it’s one of the greatest honors I’ve ever had in my life,” said Thomas.

Some students said they found inspiration in his success.

“It’s just really motivating and inspiring for us to see that even though we’re in such a small town, we can go places and we can do things,” said Jaylee Jordan a sophomore at John Glenn High School.

Her classmate, Elizabeth Kaiden also a sophomore at John Glenn High School, aspires to be a doctor and said it was helpful to think about the future.

“It was really cool that they could bring together everyone who enjoyed science and who really wanted to look towards what they could do later in life,” said Kaiden.

Jordan and Kaiden worked together on their science fair project that was focused on solar chemistry.