The Wake

Many children dream of growing up to become astronauts and explorers only to abandon these dreams before even reaching middle school. Kobie Boykins, a mechanical engineer at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, would like to convince children that those dreams can actually become reality.

Boykins states that many children stop dreaming of having an atypical career once they reach about ten years old.

“And why should that happen?” says Boykins, who grew up knowing he wanted to build space equipment. “And now I can,” he says.

At 32, Boykins is renowned for his work on the solar arrays of the 2003 Mars Expedition Rovers. Boykins was responsible for nearly every aspect of the solar arrays, ranging from their appearance, to their function and method of deployment. Now, three years later, Boykins has joined a group of individuals who are able to share their unique work experiences by way of the National Geographic Live! speaker series.

The series currently takes place in four major cities across the U.S., including Chicago, Seattle, Minneapolis and Washington D.C. The Minneapolis segment of the series has partnered with the Hennepin Theatre Trust to hold these remarkable events at the Pantages Theatre in downtown.

Boykins has also been a participant in the JASON project, yet another pet project of National Geographic, which documents scientific expeditions in order to involve students in real-life applications of science and math. Both programs are of high priority to Boykins, who feels they are almost obligatory parts of his job.

“Being involved [with JASON and National Geographic Live!] helps me do my job, because it keeps me excited about what I do,” says Boykins. Another important aspect of these programs for Boykins is to “inspire the next generation of explorers.”

“If we don’t engage them, a lot of these students won’t go into science,” says Boykins, understanding that many students do not consider this type of field “when really this is a very exciting job with unbelievable benefits.”

However, these programs are not solely beneficial to students. Boykins also states the importance of taxpayers being able to see what their money goes towards “up close and personal.”

“That way, they can be involved,” Boykins says.

Seeming infinitely happy with his job, Boykins explains that testing hardware that will eventually be launched into space is by far his favorite way to spend his time. And rightly so, as he remarks that not everyone is able to say: “Hey look, I held that thing and now it’s on the surface of Mars.”

Above all else, Boykins hopes that people will attend the National Geographic Live! series wanting to learn about the amazing engineering feats that he has been a part of, as well as ask questions and simply be entertained.

Boykins spoke on Thursday, March 15, but he is just one among the fascinating individuals participating in the National Geographic Live! series. Severe storms researcher Tim Samaras, the man responsible for capturing the closest video footage of a tornado’s center, will be sharing his experiences on Thursday, April 12.

If you have ever wondered what it would be like to chase tornados, work with wild animals or help construct something that would be launched into space, National Geographic Live! can give you the opportunity to find out from someone who has first hand experience.

Both sessions begin at 7:30 p.m. at the Pantages Theatre in downtown Minneapolis. The student ticket price is $17.50, ten dollars cheaper than general admission.

Tickets are available either online at or by phone at 612-673-0404, and for more information visit .