Astronauts and space scientists are flocking to social media in droves to show their support for Ahmed Mohamed -- a 14-year-old Muslim boy arrested for bringing his homemade clock to his Texas school.
When he was arrested, Ahmed was wearing a shirt bearing NASA's "meatball" logo. Later, the space agency tweeted a note of support to the teen.
We're supporters of #STEM & inspiring kids like Ahmed to pursue their dreams. Get involved: http://t.co/Bye4JcO1Ho pic.twitter.com/XEHsZs21sS— NASA (@NASA) September 16, 2015
The teen was not charged with any crime for building the clock and bringing it to school, but he was suspended and is planning to transfer to a different school in Texas.
"I built a clock to impress my teacher, but when I showed it to her she thought it was a threat to her," Ahmed said during a press conference Wednesday. "So it was really sad that she took a wrong impression of it, and I got arrested for it later that day."
Tech companies like Facebook, Twitter and Google have also extended invitations for Ahmed to visit.
Space scientists like astrophysicist Katie Mack posted photos of themselves wearing their own NASA meatball shirts to show support for Ahmed:
Hey Ahmed. I like your style. pic.twitter.com/WcmeudHl25— Katie Mack (@AstroKatie) September 16, 2015
.@IStandWithAhmed Because building a clock is one of the first things would-be electronics geeks do. pic.twitter.com/f3ZteAy2Mo— Emily Lakdawalla (@elakdawalla) September 16, 2015
Hi @IStandWithAhmed ! I'd love you to join us for our science show Generator in Toronto on 28 Oct. There's a ticket waiting for you.— Chris Hadfield (@Cmdr_Hadfield) September 16, 2015
Looks like Ahmed might need a new NASA shirt. I can give him one of mine - that flew in space! #IStandWithAhmed pic.twitter.com/I5aluiw24C— Daniel Tani (@Astro_Tani) September 16, 2015
#IStandWithAhmed - The govt imprisoned my parents for having Japanese parents - the same govt chose me to fly in space. Change can happen— Daniel Tani (@Astro_Tani) September 16, 2015
Hey Ahmed, give me a call in a couple years. We could always use smart, curious & creative people. https://t.co/02a4feMrk5— Bobak Ferdowsi (@tweetsoutloud) September 16, 2015
Former astronaut Mark Kelly -- current International Space Station resident Scott Kelly's twin brother -- even went so far as to say that NASA needs makers like Ahmed.
We need more kids like Ahmed Mohamed who like science & building things. Ahmed, we could use people like you at @NASA. #IStandWithAhmed— Mark Kelly (@ShuttleCDRKelly) September 17, 2015
Even NASA's ground-based Robonaut -- a human-shaped robot that could one day help perform tasks in space -- supports Ahmed.
Ahmed – NASA your shirt! #JourneyToMars needs inspired kids like you. Keep doing #NASATech! http://t.co/HvVH5xoYof pic.twitter.com/YOZKO8J7ky— Intl. Space Station (@Space_Station) September 17, 2015