Buffalo Creek Elementary (BCE) blasted off into learning during World Space Week, celebrating with Arm & Hammer’s Baking Soda Rocket Day for the second consecutive year.

This year’s mission was especially inspiring as students welcomed Colonel Shane Kimbrough, a retired U.S. Army officer and NASA astronaut, for a special Space Week assembly.

Colonel Kimbrough — who has spent more than 380 days in space across three NASA missions — shared firsthand stories of teamwork, perseverance, and the problem-solving skills that make space exploration possible. His visit ignited students’ curiosity and reminded them that discovery begins right here on Earth.

Later in the week, students became engineers themselves, designing and launching their own baking soda rockets. Through the process, they explored core STEM concepts, including chemical reactions, force, and trajectory, while practicing collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking.

BCE’s Space Week events brought science to life showing students that learning can be both challenging and out-of-this-world fun.

See highlights from BCE’s incredible journey through World Space Week: