David Mantus, Vice President at Cubist Pharmaceuticals has been bringing science to life at the Edwards Middle School volunteering as a Citizen Teacher. David’s “It IS Rocket Science” apprenticeship teaches students the basics of biology, chemistry, engineering, and physics needed to travel to space. Apprentices participate in hands-on experiments, discussions, demonstrations and team activities. They build and launch rockets, fire cannons, freeze flowers, bananas, and other objects. By the end of the semester, students simulate a space mission conducted with the NASA Learning Center in Wheeling, West Virginia for the WOW!. Check out David and his students as they demonstrate skills from their apprenticeship or hear David’s thoughts about his work with Citizen Schools.

“There’s no more powerful gift we can give back than teaching,” David (Fox News 25)