Astronaut-in-training infuses space science into West Contra Costa Unified middle school classes

West Contra Costa Unified science teacher Olaoluwalotobi “Tobi” Thomas is pursuing his lifelong dream of going to space, and in a way, he’s taking his students with him.

For the past six years, the 34-year-old has been traveling the world to attend training sessions and conferences to become an astronaut. He’s been able to mix his love of teaching and his goal of going to space someday by incorporating space research into his lessons at the district’s fully online school, Vista Virtual Academy. By doing so, he hopes to grow his students’ curiosity not just about space, but science in general.