(Photo by Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University)
Worldwide Campus — On Saturday, April 12, 2025, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) and USA Girl Scouts Overseas (USAGSO) teamed up to celebrate the Month of the Military Child with an exciting global event: Asteroids and Planetary Defense: NASA’s Mission to Protect Earth.
Nearly 300 children participated in the event, including those who joined virtually and those who attended in-person watch parties held at Embry-Riddle campus locations worldwide. During the watch parties held at Atsugi, Aviano, Kadena/Futenma, Osan, Ramstein, Spangdahlem, and Wiesbaden, students participated in engaging hands-on activities like creating impact craters using baking ingredients and rocks, simulating how asteroids collide with planets.
Dr. Amaya Davis, a US Navy Veteran, aerospace engineer, and NASA Solar System Ambassador, led the virtual session, captivating students with her knowledge and enthusiasm. Dr. Davis showcased different types of asteroids, explained their compositions, and demonstrated the potential effects of asteroid impacts using an interactive tool: the Asteroid Launcher.
(Photo by Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University)
Participants got to learn about real-world applications of planetary defense and how NASA tracks and prepares for near-Earth objects. The program provided an unforgettable educational experience that inspired curiosity and excitement for STEM fields among military children worldwide.
A special thanks goes to our outstanding partner at USAGSO, Taryn Rimland, for her incredible collaboration and support. We also extend our heartfelt appreciation to the communities at each watch party location for showing up, participating enthusiastically, and making this event a resounding success!
For those who missed the live session, the event recording is now available to watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/36h9d3mDHcU
ERAU and USAGSO are proud to continue creating opportunities for military families to connect, learn, and celebrate the resilience of military children around the world.
About Overseas U.S. Military Operations
ERAU began offering aviation undergraduate and graduate certificates and degree programs, EagleVision Classroom (EVC) courses, and on-site advising/support services, to members of the U.S. military stationed at overseas Pacific locations in U.S. Forces Japan (USFJ) and U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) in 2015 under a Department of Defense Education contract (recently replaced with an Education Services Agreement (ESA). ERAU PACOM’s flagship campus locations, Kadena AFB in Okinawa and Camp Humphreys in South Korea, opened their doors in August of 2015. Since then, ERAU PACOM has expanded to include eleven campus locations throughout Japan and South Korea (Camp Humphreys, Kunsan AB, Kadena AB, Kunsan AB, MCAS Futenma, MCAS Iwakuni, Misawa AB, NAF Atsugi, Osan AB, Yokosuka NB, Yokota AB, and Guam). We also support students located in Camp Foster, Camp Schwab, Torii Station, Camp Fuji, and Camp Zama. The ESA (Education Services Agreement) is an indefinite agreement that renews in 2032. The team celebrates 10 years in PACOM this year!
Pacific Command Campus Operations Website: PACOM Military Campuses Website
About USA Girl Scouts Overseas:
USA Girl Scouts Overseas (USAGSO) began in 1925 with a single troop of 18 girls in Shanghai, China. USAGSO exists to bring Girl Scouts to the daughters of military, foreign service, and American expat families around the world and to girls in American or International schools. An operating unit of Girl Scouts of the USA, USAGSO ensures that no matter where American families move, they will have access to the Girl Scout Leadership Experience.
USAGSO provides opportunities for girls to connect, learn, and take action in an environment tailored to their unique experiences living overseas. Through engaging programs and initiatives, USAGSO empowers girls to develop essential skills and leadership qualities, fostering confidence and resilience.
Today, USAGSO supports nearly 10,000 members in 80+ countries around the world. USAGSO staff supports members from three locations: New York City; Vicenza, Italy and Tokyo, Japan.
For more information, please visit www.usagso.org
