We all can agree that 2020 has been a year many of us did not expect to ever experience in our lives. If we can feel that way as adults imagine what kids are feeling. The holidays are right around the corner and regardless if you celebrate or not, we know that they will not look the same for many. Instead of popular toys like bikes, video games, dolls, and electronic gadgets topping children's Christmas list, many kids have written letters asking "Santa" for money to pay bills, food to eat, and a place to stay. Well, Houston native, educator, and entrepreneur, Dr. Lakeisha Menifee, affectionately known as "Dr. Kiki" decided to bring some much-needed holiday cheer to the city's communities hit hardest by the pandemic.

This past Saturday, Dr. Kiki's STEM UP Urban Perspective teamed up with Booker T. Washington High School, MC Williams Middle School, and Ernest McGowen Sr. Elementary to help Santa fulfill the Christmas wish list of many children this holiday season. Families came together with their children in a safe environment to create rockets and launch them straight to Santa. Dr. Kiki with her volunteer team and two children made sure that everyone followed the CDC social distancing guidelines. She served the families warm Shipley's donuts and kolaches as they went thru the process of creating the rockets.

When it was time for launch, families walked out to the field one by one to launch their rocket, facilitated by Mr. Butler, a NASA Rocketeer Association member. He talked to all in attendance about how important STEM is and how rocket launching is a very inexpensive and fun learning experience for kids of all ages. Once the kids loaded their rockets on the launch pad, they began the famous t-minus countdown. Then the rockets took off into the air like a NASA spaceship going so far up the rockets couldn't be seen anymore until a parachute came out and the rocket floated safely down to the ground below.

The kids and even the parents were all smiles as they cheered not only for their hard work but for the success of the launch. One father stared in pure joy as his 3-year-old daughter jumped for joy and took off to retrieve her rocket.

Dr. Kiki's 'Rocket Launch to Santa' just started her weekend full of giving. On Friday, December 11th, 2020, Dr. Kiki gave away gifts to families that registered for the rocket launch. This coming Saturday, December 12th she will host a drive-up holiday health fair & food distribution, presented by her STEM UP Urban Perspective, Booker T. Washington High School, TSU Shape Initiative, and the Houston Area Food Bank.

Follow Dr. Kiki's STEM Up Urban Perspective on Instagram @StemupwithDrKiki