Astronaut Buzz Aldrin is given a grand send-off by students and faculty at the conclusion of his visit to his namesake school in Schaumburg on Thursday.
Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com
Astronaut Buzz Aldrin, a member of NASA's first moon-landing mission in July 1969, returned to his namesake school in Schaumburg on Thursday to speak to and work with students.
Aldrin began his visit addressing students in the fourth through sixth grades in the school's gym.
Younger students watched the assembly from their classrooms and later lined the hallways to see Aldrin walk a lap of the building before his departure.
In between, Aldrin did an activity with 15 students who are members of a club that has been using a large-scale map of Mars he previously donated to the school.
Aldrin Elementary School opened in 1971, the same year Schaumburg Township Elementary District 54 opened Neil Armstrong Elementary School in Hoffman Estates and Michael Collins Elementary School in Schaumburg to honor the three members of the Apollo 11 crew.
Astronaut Buzz Aldrin visits his namesake school in Schaumburg on Thursday.
Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com
Astronaut Buzz Aldrin stands with a group of students while visiting his namesake school in Schaumburg on Thursday.
Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com
Astronaut Buzz Aldrin speaks during a visit to his namesake school in Schaumburg on Thursday.
Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com
Students listen to astronaut Buzz Aldrin speak during a visit to his namesake school in Schaumburg on Thursday.
Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com
Astronaut Buzz Aldrin and a group of students stand behind a map of Mars that he donated as he visits his namesake school in Schaumburg on Thursday.
Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com
Astronaut Buzz Aldrin stands on the moon in July 1969 in an iconic photo taken by fellow astronaut Neil Armstrong. Aldrin showed the photo during a visit to his namesake school in Schaumburg on Thursday.
Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com