Congressman Derek Kilmer will host a virtual town hall for Olympic Peninsula students Tuesday featuring NASA astronaut and Washington native Dr. Michael Barratt to talk about the benefits of an education in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), and upcoming NASA moon missions.

Joining Kilmer and Barratt will be NASA administrator Jim Bridenstine, who will discuss NASA’s Artemis program, which aims to land the first woman and next man on the moon in 2024.

Students can join in via Zoom at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 11. at https://nasaenterprise.webex.com/mw3300/mywebex/default.do?siteurl=nasaenterprise and entering event number 199 936 6151. The event password is XTpHTvs*377.

Rep. Kilmer is a co-chair of the Planetary Science Caucus in Congress, which aims raise awareness of the benefits of federal investment in space science, technology, exploration, and STEM education.

Barratt was selected by NASA in 2000. Board certified in Internal and Aerospace Medicine, he has participated in two spaceflights. In 2009, Barratt served as Flight Engineer for Expedition 19/20, which marked the transition from three to six permanent International Space Station crew members. During this time, he performed two spacewalks. He also flew on STS-133, which delivered the Permanent Multipurpose Module and fourth Express Logistics Carrier. Currently, Barratt serves in the International Space Station Operations and Integration branches to handle medical issues and on orbit support. He considers Camas to be his hometown, and earned his Bachelor of Science at the University of Washington.