On January 28, 1986, NASA Challenger mission STS-51-L ended in tragedy when the shuttle exploded 73 seconds after takeoff. On board was physicist Ronald E. McNair, who was the second African American to enter space. But first, he was a kid with big dreams in Lake City, South Carolina.

In this animation, McNair is remembered by his older brother, Carl, who tells how Ronald’s journey from the rural South to outer space began with an act of courage at the local public library.

Educators can use this resource to introduce students to careers in STEM fields, to encourage minorities to enter these fields, and to encourage lively discussions about discrimination and systemic racism. It can also be used to help teach effective storytelling and speaking, active listening, and increase students’ skills in analyzing primary sources and first-person accounts of historical events.