Joseph Connolly recalled that as a young child he wanted one thing: to work for NASA. Today he is an aerospace engineer for NASA's Research Controls and Dynamics Branch in Ohio.

Joseph Connolly recalled that as a young child he wanted one thing: to work for NASA.

Today the self-proclaimed science nerd has surpassed the odds and has achieved his dream of working for the space organization. More importantly, he’s letting other American Indian youths know that they too can aim high and reach for the stars.

Joseph, who is Onondaga and enrolled with the Six Nations Grand River of Caledonia, Ontario, Canada, used his connections through the American Indian Science and Engineering Society to connect with youths participating in the Oneida Indian Nation’s Summer Jam program.

The program, open to Nation Members and Health Center clients who are entering grades 3 to 7 in the fall, keeps children active in a variety of activities, electives, recreation and gym events. Students participated in the First Tee program, learned Oneida language, talked about their heritage and enjoyed several field trips.

While it takes at least two detailed paragraphs to explain what Joseph does on a daily basis, his focus was not on what he does, but to inform American Indian children they can work through stereotypes to become successful. His journey started quite haphazardly.

Joseph, who is Onondaga and enrolled with the Six Nations Grand River of Caledonia, Ontario, Canada, used his connections through the American Indian Science and Engineering Society to connect with youths participating in the Oneida Indian Nation’s Summer Jam program.

As he explained he did not know how to get into college and the path he started on to get there began when he literally bumped into an Ohio State recruiter and sent her papers flying. The two then struck up a conversation about college.

“I said, ‘I could be interested in coming to Ohio State but really I want to work for NASA.’ Then she told me that I should be an engineer,” Joseph recalled. “At the time I really just thought an engineer was someone who drove a train so I told her, ‘no, no, no I don’t want to drive a train, I want to go to work for NASA.’ She sort of chuckled and started to inform me about all the wonderful things aerospace engineers do.

“So I applied to Ohio State and I got in.”

The encounter also revealed something else: while the recruiter was looking for American Indian students the high school’s guidance counselor told the recruiter the school had none.

During his visit Joseph, a self-proclaimed space nerd, talked about how his obsession for space turned into a successful career. He introduced students to other successful American Indian scientists and engineers and then planned a group activity.

“Our school was relatively small. There’s only a handful of American Indian (students) and the guidance counselor basically was saying Native students shouldn’t be going to four year universities,” he said.

When addressing youth Joseph focuses on stories of successful American Indian scientists and engineers, such as Ely Parker a Seneca who helped engineer the Erie Canal, to help children understand that they can follow their dreams.

(Learn about Chapman Schanandoah [Wolf Clan] who would go on to become a war hero, inventor, a crusader for the Oneida land claims, and the keeper of a treasure dear to the Oneida people. An Oneida Renaissance Man: Chapman Schanandoah)

“I talk about successful scientists and engineers so when students encounter some of those things where they might have stereotypical views sort of shoved in their face they can say, ‘Well, that’s not really true because I have all these examples of people who have done these amazing things,’” Joseph added. “It’s really important for Native students to realize that any of these things are really possible for them.”

Joseph works along with students to build a bottle rocket. Standing, at right is, Tanner Bluewolf (Wolf Clan).

Oh, and as for what the NASA Glenn Research Center aerospace engineer works on? The shortened version is he is creating new algorithms and management schemes to help commercial turbo fan engines run more efficiently. He is also working on commercial supersonics in an attempt to create a land-based Concord-type jet that can fly from New York to Los Angeles without creating a sonic boom.

“It was a real honor coming out to speak to the students,” Joseph said. “They were a lot of fun. They have a lot of great questions and a lot of great insight in terms of how to do things. I think they have a lot of inspiring dreams that hopefully they’ll be able to accomplish, and take us to great places.”

Joseph sets up for the launching of a bottle rocket created by Oneida Nation Summer Jam participants. The launch was held just outside the Oneida Nation Recreation Center.

Oneida Nation Summer Jam participants provide a countdown for the launching of a bottle rocket. The bottle rocket, propelled by water and air, was a project they worked on with Joseph Connolly.

A shot of a bottle rocket shortly after a successful liftoff.