Grand Rapids, MI – The Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM) and Grand Valley State University (GVSU) announce the return of Roger That!, a two-day event celebrating space exploration and the life of Grand Rapids native, Roger B. Chaffee. Roger That! will take place on Friday, February 20, and Saturday, February 21, 2026. The event invites attendees to learn about STEAM careers and space exploration through lectures, activities, tables hosted by local professionals, design challenges, and more.
This year’s keynote speaker is Dr. Jeanette J. Epps, a former trailblazing NASA astronaut, aerospace engineer, and former CIA intelligence officer with over 233 days aboard the International Space Station.
Space and Time, Roger That!’s 2026 theme, highlights the many ways humans measure, understand, and imagine time as it relates to outer space. From the nanoseconds that govern spacecraft navigation to the millennia that shape cosmic evolution, our sense of time connects human experience with the rhythms of the universe. This year’s speakers will explore interplanetary time synchronization, lunar and Martian timekeeping, gravitational waves, and the technologies that make deep-space exploration possible. There will be workshops for all ages and a special in-person panel focused on traditional and cultural ways celestial bodies have guided calendars and seasons throughout history.
Roger That! will begin on Friday, February 20, 2026, with a stellar lineup of online presentations at GVSU and programming for lower elementary school students at the GRPM. Later in the day, there will be more in-person events at GVSU that continue through Saturday, February 21, at the Grand Rapids Public Museum.
“The GRPM is thrilled to continue partnering with GVSU to host Roger That!,” said Rob Schuitema, the GRPM’s Director of Public Programs. “This program is a unique opportunity for our community, particularly young learners, to explore their curiosity about space. In addition, hosting Dr. Jeanette Epps as the keynote speaker is an incredible way to connect with girls interested in STEAM careers.”
Deana Weibel, GVSU professor of anthropology and co-organizer of Roger That!, said GVSU’s involvement in Roger That! reflects its commitment to interdisciplinary STEAM education, K–12 outreach, and community partnership. Supported by funding from the Michigan Space Grant Consortium and GVSU leadership, the university works alongside GRPM each year to deliver programming that emphasizes hands-on learning, design thinking, and access to science education by connecting students with astronauts, engineers, scientists, and scholars from a range of disciplines.
“Believe it or not, Roger That! is happening for the 10th time,” Weibel said. “Our annual celebration of space exploration is about expanding horizons, especially for young people who may not yet see themselves as scientists, engineers, or space explorers. Alongside the conference itself, our organizing team works year-round to support K–12 outreach through free STEM kits, extending the impact of Roger That! beyond the museum and university. We hope Roger That! participants leave feeling inspired and empowered to imagine themselves as part of the future of exploration.”
Programs at Grand Valley State University’s Pew Grand Rapids Campus on Friday, February 20, 2026
Epps will speak at 6:30 p.m. on February 20 at the Loosemore Auditorium on GVSU’s City Campus.
GVSU’s full day of programming is focused on education, interdisciplinary collaboration, and hands-on learning. The schedule includes online scholarly presentations from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., interactive STEAM workshops, and in-person activities designed for students, educators, and community members.
Highlights include Design That!, a space-focused design challenge that invites participants to tackle real-world space-related problems, as well as the Celestial Rhythms panel, a conversation featuring community experts on cultural approaches to time and the sky. Panelists will explore how different communities understand and organize time through celestial rhythms, drawing on cultural traditions, lived experience, and contemporary practice.
Registration for GVSU’s Roger That! programs is now open.
Programs for School Groups at the Grand Rapids Public Museum, Friday, February 20, 2026
Also on February 20, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., the GRPM welcomes school groups for programs designed for elementary-aged learners. Several activities will be stationed throughout the Museum. Community partners will also table at the event with information and activities around STEAM and space. When students visit all the stations, they complete their mission and earn prizes.
School groups can add on a show in the Roger B. Chaffee Planetarium for an extra out-of-this-world experience. The Chaffee Planetarium features the latest Digistar projection technology and immersive surround sound, creating an unbelievably rich and realistic experience under the 50-foot dome.
School groups can schedule their visit today at https://www.grpm.org/group-reservation-form.
Roger That! is an additional 2 dollars per person to attend.
Programs for the Public at the Grand Rapids Public Museum, Saturday, February 21, 2026
The public is invited to join the celebration at the GRPM on Saturday, February 21. Activities will continue to be stationed throughout the Museum, along with community partners and prizes for aspiring astronauts who complete their mission.
At 11 a.m., guests can attend a keynote address from Dr. Jeanette Epps, free with general admission.
Dr. Jeanette J. Epps is a former trailblazing NASA astronaut, aerospace engineer, and former CIA intelligence officer with over 233 days aboard the International Space Station (ISS) as a mission specialist for SpaceX Crew-8.
Selected as a NASA astronaut in 2009, Dr. Epps has undergone extensive mission training with both SpaceX and the Russian space agency Roscosmos. Her expertise includes robotics, spacewalk operations, and emergency preparedness, as well as international systems integration and mission control communications. Notably, she served as a Capsule Communicator (CAPCOM) for EVA operations, exemplifying her leadership in high-stakes environments.
Dr. Epps holds a Ph.D. and M.S. in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Maryland and a B.S. in Physics from LeMoyne College. She has authored numerous technical publications, received multiple awards for performance and service, and holds an honorary doctorate in Humane Letters. She is also an honorary member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and a proud example of excellence through perseverance.
