In collaboration with NASA, Vice President Kamala Harris and Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff hosted an evening of STEM activities tonight for military families and local STEM students and their families at the United States Naval Observatory. Joining the celebration, which culminated in the screening of Disney and Pixar’s “Lightyear,” were stars Keke Palmer and Uzo Aduba, who lend their voices to Izzy and Alisha Hawthorne in the movie. NASA astronaut Thomas Marshburn, who was a consultant on the film, was also in attendance, and shared details about his stint at the International Space Station. The event, featuring a host of NASA astronauts and representatives, was part of a larger initiative designed to increase student STEM engagement and inspire future scientists, mathematicians and space explorers.

“Lightyear” is out now in theaters nationwide.

ABOUT THE MOVIE

A sci-fi action adventure and the definitive origin story of Buzz Lightyear, the hero who inspired the toy, “Lightyear” follows the legendary Space Ranger after he’s marooned on a hostile planet 4.2 million light-years from Earth alongside his commander and their crew. As Buzz tries to find a way back home through space and time, he’s joined by a group of ambitious recruits and his charming robot companion cat, Sox. Complicating matters and threatening the mission is the arrival of Zurg, an imposing presence with an army of ruthless robots and a mysterious agenda.

The film features the voices of Chris Evans as accomplished Space Ranger Buzz Lightyear, Uzo Aduba as his commander and best friend Alisha Hawthorne and Peter Sohn as Sox. Keke Palmer, Taika Waititi and Dale Soules lend their voices to the Junior Zap Patrol’s Izzy Hawthorne, Mo Morrison and Darby Steel, respectively, and James Brolin can be heard as the enigmatic Zurg. The voice cast also includes Mary McDonald-Lewis as onboard computer I.V.A.N., Isiah Whitlock Jr. as Commander Burnside, Efren Ramirez as Airman Diaz, and Keira Hairston as Young Izzy. Directed by Angus MacLane (co-director “Finding Dory”), produced by Galyn Susman (“Toy Story That Time Forgot”) and featuring a score by award-winning composer Michael Giacchino (“The Batman,” “Up”), Disney and Pixar’s “Lightyear” is now playing in theaters nationwide.

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Photos provided by The White House