Boeing Celebrates San Antonio College Centennial with $100,000 Gift to John L. Santikos Micronaut Center
October 3, 2025
As part of San Antonio College’s 100th anniversary celebration, Boeing has made a $100,000 gift to the John L. Santikos Micronaut Center at the Scobee Education Center. The investment establishes the new Boeing Briefing Room and expands access to the Micronaut program, which introduces children as young as four to space exploration and hands-on STEAM learning.
“This generous gift from Boeing helps us remove barriers for young learners and ensures that curiosity has no limits,” said Dr. Francisco Solis, President of San Antonio College. “By investing in the Micronaut program and the Boeing Briefing Room, Boeing is investing in the future of our community, sparking imaginations that will one day lead to discoveries, innovation, and leadership in STEAM fields.”
Boeing leaders emphasized their commitment to education and the milestone occasion of SAC’s centennial year.
“At Boeing, we believe in the power of education to inspire the next generation of innovators,” said LeRoy Cain, Boeing International Space Station program manager. “As we celebrate San Antonio College's 100th anniversary, the dedication of the Boeing Briefing Room at the Santikos Micronaut Center stands as a testament to our commitment to supporting educational initiatives that empower students in the fields of science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics.”
A Model for STEAM Education
The Micronaut Center is the first of its kind and has become a national model for experiential learning. Designed for children ages four to nine, the program immerses students in a simulated space mission that blends science, technology, engineering, arts, and math.
Each mission begins with students suiting up in a child-sized “spacesuit vest” before taking their seats in the Launch Room. From there, they experience a video simulation of a spacecraft leaving Earth from the SAC campus and traveling to the International Space Station. Once inside the space station-style room, children rotate through 12 interactive science exhibits exploring geology, physics, geography, and more. Many of the exhibits are bilingual, ensuring accessibility for diverse learners.
After completing their mission, students return to Earth – bringing back not only excitement, but also a lasting curiosity for science.
Expanding Access Through Boeing’s Support
Since 2015, the Micronaut program has served preschool and kindergarten classes at San Antonio College. Initially adapted within the Challenger Learning Center – originally designed for older students – the program grew into its own customized space with the creation of the John L. Santikos Micronaut Center.
Boeing’s centennial gift provides program funding that allows the Scobee Education Center to offer training missions for public and private schools with limited resources. This ensures that all children, regardless of background, have the opportunity to access high-quality, hands-on STEAM education.
Building a Cradle-to-College Pathway
The Micronaut program was originally developed at the University of Tennessee Chattanooga’s Challenger Learning Center in 2005. Its goal is to create a “cradle-to-college” pathway by giving young learners early exposure to science, space, and engineering concepts.
At San Antonio College, the program is part of a larger vision: to inspire the next generation of scientists, innovators, and explorers by connecting imagination with opportunity. With Boeing’s continued support, the Scobee Education Center remains a leader in experiential STEAM education, fostering curiosity and confidence in the youngest of learners.
About San Antonio College
Founded in 1925, San Antonio College is the oldest continually operating two-year college in Texas and one of the largest single-campus community colleges in the state and nation.
Winner of the 2021 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, SAC is designated as an official Hispanic Serving Institution. It also serves one of the largest student veteran populations in the state and has been honored multiple times with the Veteran Education Excellence Recognition Gold Award from the Texas Veterans Commission.
SAC offers courses in the arts and sciences and professional/technical fields and is a leader in online education. For more information, visit: alamo.edu/sac.
About Boeing
A leading global aerospace company and top U.S. exporter, Boeing develops, manufactures and services commercial airplanes, defense products and space systems for customers in more than 150 countries.
Our U.S. and global workforce and supplier base drive innovation, economic opportunity, sustainability and community impact. Boeing is committed to fostering a culture based on our core values of safety, quality and integrity.
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