Let's Go to Space: BLUE-SKY Learning

Today, we meet with Karolina Rivera-Osorio,  a young lady with an avid interest in STEM with a particular focus on the psychological effects of living in space. Karolina was an intern at NASA Headquarters Science Mission Directorate supporting the Mars sample Return Mission. She participated in Human Factors creating the first Lunar Transport Modules for Incapacitated Astronauts for Johnson Space Center while studying Industrial and Organizational Psychology. Recently, Karolina spent the last 7 months in France researching “The Psychology of Sustainable Agriculture for Future Martian Astronauts,” using hydroponics/microgreens in a Mars analog.  In addition to her interest in these areas, Karolina is also a scuba diver and pilot, and she loves  gardening, music and traveling. It was fascinating hearing how she blended her many passions into a career field and we know you will be likewise impressed

Today we meet with Kevin Johnson, a Systems Engineer at Jacobs supporting the Artemis Program for NASA based out of the Kennedy Space Center. As a first generation college student born to a single teenage mother and raised under the poverty line, Kevin spent his early years working in the food service industry, honing a hard working and team oriented skillset to succeed. This also led to him planning for the future, a 20 year career target that is dedicated to being a lead for the human mission to Mars.

After graduating from Penn State University with Bachelors in Aerospace Engineering, he spent 10 years at Boeing as an engineer supporting the entire Rotorcraft program lifecycle: from proposal to production, sustainment, and R&D efforts. Eventually after taking a brief stint as a contractor for Lockheed Martin's Navy Nuclear Propulsion team; it was then that  Kevin took a dream opportunity to work in the space industry

Along the way, Kevin gas taken time and effort to give back and has been volunteering in local communities since he was thirteen. Recognized by Boeing for his community give back, receiving the "Community Outreach" award, he spent over 7 years as an instructor for the "Girls in Science and Technology" program (GiST)

Kevin is also an active member in the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) serving on the Cape Canaveral Council,  which is where he met our Kevin, and is a and a volunteer/judge for both FIRST Robotics and the International Science and Engineering Fair Kevin was recently accepted to the PnD aero engineering program at a husband to a very patient wife, and a proud father to two young children.

We know you will love his story as he inspires us with his vision and advice

Today, we meet with, Space Florida President and CEO, Frank DiBello. in May 2009 Mr. DiBello was chosen to lead Space Florida, which is the principal state agency for aerospace-related economic development, and the Space Authority for the State of Florida. In his position, he develops and executes programs designed to attract, retain and grow aerospace business across the state. Additionally, Mr. DiBello focuses on Florida aerospace workforce development and retention as well as international partnership development.

Mr. DiBello has been involved in multiple civic, social and industry volunteer organizations. He founded the Washington Space Business Roundtable and for his work as President of the Board of the USO Metropolitan Washington, he received the Medal for Distinguished Public Service, the Department of Defense’s highest civilian honor.  He received his Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Villanova University, and did graduate work at American and George Washington Universities. Recently Mr. DiBello was inducted into the Space Satellite Hall of Fame.

Register for Summer Sessions at the Aerospace and Innovation Academy here:  https://forms.gle/YFqTyviJRtzipKX19

Dr. Anand “Sunny” Narayanan is currently a Research Professor at Florida A&M AND  - Florida State University (FAMU-FSU). As a first-generation, immigrant, Indian American from a disadvantaged background, Sunny has held a life-long interest in encouraging diversity through educational outreach and interdisciplinary projects. Sunny holds a Ph.D. from Texas A&M University in Medical and Space Physiology, and B.S. degrees from West Virginia University in Mechanical Engineering and Biology.

Now as a Research Professor, he continues his support of NASA’s space program, leading and supporting multiple biomedical studies investigating the physiological effects of deep space radiation, Lunar, and Martian gravity, relevant to our human space exploration goals as we return to the Moon and beyond through the Artemis program.

Check out the Aerospace and Innovation Academy website here: www.aerospacehigh.org

Register for Summer STEM Sessions HERE:

Dr. Jin S. Kang (Suk Jin Kang) is an Associate Professor in the Aerospace Engineering Department at the United States Naval Academy, and serves as the Director of the Naval Academy Small Satellite Program. His main research area is in small satellite technology development and was involved in development of four micro-satellites and numerous CubeSat satellites. He received his B.S. from the University of Michigan, M.S. from Stanford University, and Ph.D. from Korea Aerospace University (KAU) in Aerospace Engineering. After working for General Electric for two years, Kang taught at Korea Air Force Academy, KAU, and Drexel University before joining the Naval Academy faculty

We are so excited to learn more how aerospace and the military connect and as always stay tuned for takeaway after show

Link to AIA summer registration:  https://forms.gle/aJqAKuT3tny5qKDG8

Today we are excited to get an update on the BigRedSat, a CubeSat we first learned about last year.In fact two early podcast episodes (found linked in the show notes) served as an introduction to this team which included middle- university level students as well as an interview with one of their biggest supporters, John McClure. Sadly, John passed this year but his dream for a CubeSat in Nebraska is still in the works

But today we meet with John Helzer:  the special systems team lead for AXP, which is mentoring the Big Red Satellite team's middle & high schoolers. He is currently a junior specializing in Mechanical engineering at the university of Nebraska Lincoln. He is joined by one of their high school students, Robert Schmidt. As always, stay tuned after for the takeaway.

Link to Episode 17 The Legacy of John McClure and BigRedSat

Link to Episode 19 BigRedSat student perspectives with Joel Murch-Shafer and Elsa Meyer

Today, Kevin meets with Nicholas Marshall, a Junior at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach Fl . There, he is studying Aerospace Engineering with an Aeronautics Track. Nicholas is an active member of Design Build Fly at Embry-Riddle, and he recently participated with our group as part of this yea’s American Insitute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Congressional Visit Day. A proud Eagle Scout, Nicholas hopes to work on military aviation projects upon graduation.

Today’s guest, Craig Glover, was raised in a community much like those in the Palm Beach County community he now serves. His experience growing up in an economically challenged area has helped him recognize his many blessing, and to survive several life challenges. Currently, Craig is excited to serve others as the Executive Director of Northend RISE.

RISE is a resident-driven, family and systems based non-profit movement, dedicated to breaking the cycle of poverty for the residents of the Northend, Coleman Park and Pleasant City communities. RISE works to improve quality of life by focusing on education, employment, housing and wellness..

https://www.northendrise.org/

AIA Summer Sessions registration link

AIA webpage

AIA FB: @go2space

Today Kevin and I meet with Kadija Rahman and Amina Zulfi, founders of The Little Martians. Kadija  is an Information Technology Engineer and certified STEM Educator in Teaching Primary Science and Amina, an electronics engineer turned educator, is a certified STEM activity designer and STEM curriculum planner.

The Little Martians was founded with the objective of building a strong maker community in India, starting from a young age. The group inspires bright students and mentors  them to find meaningful footing in this challenging world, forming  a path for Indian youngsters to explore and grow.

As always, stay tuned after the episode for our takeaways. 

Little Martians FB: https://www.facebook.com/thelittlemartians/

AIA Summer Sessions registration and information link: https://forms.gle/k44Hv7ZFvpnPa4aC7

AIA website: www.aerospacehigh.org

AIA FB @Go2Space

Mr. Patrick H. Stakem has been fascinated by the space program since the Vanguard launches in 1957. He received a Bachelors degree in Electrical Engineering from Carnegie-Mellon University, and Masters Degrees in Physics and Computer Science from the Johns Hopkins University. At Carnegie, he worked with a group of undergraduate students to re-assemble, modify, and operate a surplus missile guidance computer, which was later donated to the Smithsonian. He was brought up in the mainframe era, and was taught to never trust a computer you could lift.

He began his career in Aerospace with Fairchild Industries on the ATS-6 (Applications Technology Satellite-6) program, a communication satellite that developed much of the technology for the TDRSS (Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System). He followed the ATS-6 Program through its operational phase, and worked on other projects at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center including the Hubble Space Telescope, the International Ultraviolet Explorer (IUE), the Solar Maximum Mission (SMM), some of the Landsat missions, and Shuttle. He was posted to NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory for Mars-Jupiter-Saturn (MJS-77), which later became the Voyager mission, and which is still operating and returning data from outside the solar system at this writing. He initiated and lead the international Flight Linux Project for NASA's Earth Sciences Technology Office. He is the recipient of the Shuttle Program Manager's Commendation Award, and has completed 42 NASA Certification courses. He has two NASA Group Achievement Awards, and the Apollo-Soyuz Test Program Award.

Now he supports International collaborative open-source projects, and STEM Programs.