STEM Harvest
In anticipation of the second annual Downtown Hays Science Festival, STEM Harvest is proud to announce two exclusive "Adventure in Space" community events featuring a live virtual Q&A with Apollo 13 Lunar Module Pilot Fred Haise. These identical sessions offer area students and families a deep dive into space exploration history and hands-on mission design.
The events serve as the official lead-up to the Downtown Hays Science Festival, scheduled for Sunday, May 3. To ensure an intimate experience, attendance for the Adventures in Space events are strictly limited to 100 participants per session.
Event Schedule:
• Session 1: Tuesday, April 28 | 5:00 p.m. – 7:45 p.m.
• Session 2: Saturday, May 2 | 5:00 p.m. – 7:45 p.m.
• Note: Preference for the May 2 session will be given to out-of-town students and families traveling to Hays.
Location & Logistics:
Both events will be held at STEM Harvest, 507 Main St., Suite D, Hays. Attendees should use the south entrance (mural side) of the building. The south parking lot is designated for the event.
Evening Itinerary:
- 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.: Mission Possible: A family-friendly workshop where participants learn the symbolism behind NASA mission patches and sketch their own personal mission designs.
- 6:00 p.m. - 6:15p.m.: Break & Grab Pizza: Dinner is provided for all registered attendees.
- 6:15 p.m. - 6:45 p.m.: Eat & Watch NASA Documentary: Screening of the NASA documentary, Apollo 13: Home Safe.
- 6:45 p.m. - 7:45 p.m.: The evening concludes with a 60-minute live virtual Q&A with legendary astronaut Fred Haise, moderated by Logan Jaeren.
Registration: Admission is free, although pre-registration is required due to the 100-person capacity limit.
- Tuesday, April 28, 2026 https://forms.gle/ZjJzN4YjbfHdFXUP6
- Saturday, May 2, 2026 https://forms.gle/PXJGMbiV6d4xE48Y9
Featured Guests and Organizations
Fred Haise
Fred Haise served as the Lunar Module Pilot on the Apollo 13 mission in 1970. A former fighter pilot and research pilot, Haise was one of only 24 humans to have flown to the Moon. His role in the safe return of the Apollo 13 crew, despite the mission-critical failure, demonstrated extraordinary skill and composure, earning him the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
The 44-year career of Fred W. Haise Jr. traverses aeronautics, astronautics and aerospace. In both air and space, Haise has had extraordinary experiences acknowledged by various honors, such as the 2023 induction into the National Aviation Hall of Fame, and authoring his memoir, "Never Panic Early."
More at https://fredhaise.space/.
Logan Jaeren
Logan Jaeren is a senior product design leader, master storyteller and a lifelong space enthusiast with a passion for collecting, researching and sharing the origin story of space mission patches. His passion for mission patches, his gift for storytelling and his love for education led to the founding of STEAM4SPACE in 2023 to place real mission patches into the hands of students and transform the learning experience by connecting the story of the design of a real patch to STEM applied to the mission.
Jaeren will facilitate the activities as well as the discussion between the audience and Mr. Haise, focusing on engaging local students and fostering a community-wide interest in STEM and aerospace history.
More at https://STEAM4SPACE.org.
STEM Harvest
STEM Harvest is a community-focused organization dedicated to making science, technology, engineering, and mathematics accessible to everyone. By providing hands-on learning opportunities and unique educational experiences, the organization aims to spark curiosity and develop the next generation of innovators.
From local festivals to interactive workshops, STEM Harvest works to remove barriers to high-quality technical education, ensuring that students of all ages and backgrounds have the resources to explore the wonders of the STEM fields.
More at https://stemharvest.org/.