Rappahannock Community College Professor Selected for NASA Wallops Faculty Workshop
Rappahannock Community College (RCC) Chemistry Professor Dr. Lekh Adhikari has been selected as one of just 15 faculty members statewide to participate in the Virginia Space Grant Consortium’s (VSGC) STEM Takes Flight Faculty Professional Development Workshop, held May 12–14 at NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility.
This three-day residential program immerses community college faculty in the dynamic world of NASA’s missions and operations. Participants will explore how STEM disciplines are applied in real-world aerospace settings, with a focus on strengthening classroom instruction through teamwork, technical skill development, and problem-solving.
The workshop includes behind-the-scenes tours and briefings on suborbital and orbital missions conducted at Wallops and around the globe. Through case studies of real mission challenges, faculty will gain insight into the collaborative work of engineers, scientists, technicians, and safety and range control personnel. Participants will also develop lesson plans that integrate NASA-based technologies, concepts, and skills into their teaching.
“I hope to gain innovative, hands-on strategies that bring authentic STEM experiences into my classroom,” said Adhikari. “I’m especially interested in incorporating real-world aerospace concepts and engineering design challenges that increase student engagement and curiosity. Ultimately, my goal is to create meaningful classroom experiences that spark critical thinking, creativity, and a passion for exploration.”
Adhikari’s journey to this opportunity reflects both determination and a deep commitment to education. Growing up in a rural village in western Nepal, he developed an early interest in science despite limited resources and access to qualified teachers.
“I understood that learning science was important to understanding the world, even if I didn’t yet see its real-life applications,” Adhikari said. “I didn’t learn about NASA until after completing my bachelor’s degree, but once I did, I was fascinated by its global impact and achievements. That curiosity has stayed with me throughout my career.”
Now an educator, Adhikari is dedicated to helping students connect classroom learning to real-world applications and future careers. His participation in the VSGC workshop will further enhance his ability to bring cutting-edge STEM experiences to RCC students.
“Opportunities like this directly benefit our students,” said RCC President Dr. Shannon Kennedy. “Dr. Adhikari’s selection speaks to his dedication to teaching excellence and his commitment to preparing students for success in STEM fields. We are proud to see him representing RCC at this program and look forward to hearing about his experience.”
As part of the workshop, participants are required to submit a summary outlining how they will apply what they’ve learned in their classrooms. The program supports broader goals of increasing student retention in STEM pathways, strengthening connections between Virginia’s community colleges and NASA, and fostering greater awareness of STEM careers.
At RCC, Adhikari plans to translate his experience into engaging, hands-on learning opportunities that inspire students to pursue further education and careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.