Students and staff at Manning Early Childhood Center gathered on March 20 to celebrate the planting of a NASA Moon Tree—a symbol of exploration, STEM education, and endless possibility.
The tree, one of only a handful planted across the United States, was grown from seeds that traveled to space aboard the Artemis I mission. The ceremonial event marked the culmination of MECC’s Moon Tree project, which has been part of an ongoing effort to spark curiosity about science, space, and the natural world in young learners.
Special guest Dr. Howard Conyers, a Manning High School graduate and NASA rocket scientist, returned home to speak to students about his journey from local classrooms to working on rocket engine testing for the Artemis program.
“I started out right here loving math and science,” Conyers told the students. “With great teachers, mentors like Dr. Rose Wilder, and a lot of hard work, I found my path. You can too.”
During the event, Conyers presented a keepsake from one of his NASA projects to a young student named Andrew—an aspiring astronaut—sharing a heartfelt moment that underscored the day’s theme of dreaming big.
The celebration also honored the work of MECC garden coordinator Marie Land and her team of volunteers, who have supported STEM learning through gardening activities and nutrition education.
The school will continue to care for the Moon Tree as both a living legacy of the Artemis mission and a daily reminder to students that their futures can reach beyond the stars.
