GILLETTE — "If you can dream it, you can do it," will be the focus of three different appearances by former astronaut John Herrington in Gillette on Thursday and Friday. Herrington, who spent part of his childhood years in Riverton, is helping raise awareness for a proposed Challenger Learning Center to be built in Gillette.
"Growing up in Wyoming is a fabulous thing," Herrington said. " I want kids to understand dreams are possible."
Herrington realized his dream of becoming an astronaut after years of hard work as a naval pilot and before entering the NASA program in 1996. In 2002, Herrington fulfilled his dream, as well as that of children around the country, when he journeyed to the International Space Station aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavor. Logging more than 300 hours during three different space walks, Herrington now shares his story with people around the country.
"Students can live their dreams," Herrington said. "Hopefully, kids will be inspired by my story."
Speaking to promote the proposed $3.5 million Challenger Learning Center is near to Herrington's heart as he said he believes in encouraging children to reach for their dreams, as well as to learn about the importance of math and science. The Challenger Learning Center will allow students to complete missions to Mars and the moon through a realistic mock-up of Mission Control and an orbiting space station.
The centers have been built around the country to honor the 1986 Challenger crew that died moments after its launch. The goal of the center is to create an excitement about math and science studies for students to hopefully encourage them to enter related careers from chemists to astrophysicists.
For Herrington the key to creating great people is encouraging kids to explore math and science, as well as to work hard to achieve their dreams.
"Believe in yourself," Herrington said. "Believe you are capable of accomplishing great things."
Herrington's appearances include:

• The Bicycle Shop on Thursday from 5-6 p.m. where he will talk about his 2008 cross-country bike trip.
• Campbell County School District Planetarium on Thursday from 7-8:30 p.m. where he will talk about the shuttle program
• Challenger Learning Center Banquet at the Clarion Hotel on Friday at 6 p.m. where Herrington will be the keynote speaker.

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