Today, we meet with Kevin DiMarzio,  the vice president of business development at RedWire. He leads a team of professionals in the identification and capture of new opportunities, customer engagement and retention, and business strategy focused on technology solutions. Their recent efforts include new material processing techniques, quality tool sets, and unique ways to use existing terrestrial methodologies in the microgravity and space environment.

Prior to joining Made In Space, the company that was recently acquired by Redwire, Mr. DiMarzio worked for Siemens Energy in the power generation sector primarily focused on the large gas and steam turbine industries. He holds a Master of Business Administration and a Bachelors of Science in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Central Florida.

We met Mr. DiMarzio at the recent Edison Awards where both Kevins were panelists on the Future of Florida’s Space Economy segment. We are excited to talk with him today about 3D printing and additive manufacturing in space as well as how future engineers can get involved.

Learn more at Redwire's website:  https://redwirespace.com/ and, you can check out our own new AIA website at https://www.aerospacehigh.org/

The Aerospace and Innovation Academy is purposed to provide unique STEM opportunities for students and teachers. Some of these opportunities include speaking at prestigious conferences or with legislators. Today we meet with two students who have spoken on a national stage for Humans To Mars, but more importantly, who demonstrate that being comfortable public speakers has positively impacted their academic and future careers. In addition to speaking at Humans to Mars, both students are former TedX speakers, have participated in legislative blitzes, and are top debaters in their respective events.

Michael Evrard Vescio is a graduating senior at FAU who will be attending Penn for law in Fall. He was the first of our students to speak before Humans to Mars in 2017. Alexa Ernce is a junior at the same school where she has a passion for physics and calculus. She spoke on the women’s panel of Humans to Mars in 2019 and intends to pursue a career in astrophysics.

Stay tuned after the show for our takeaway and see the notes in the description for links to our episode with Janet Ivey of Explore Mars who sponsors Humans to Mars as well as a link to information on how your student can be involved with the AIA.

FB: https://www.facebook.com/Go2Space

Podcast Episode EXPLORE MARS: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6kTKwfRXPv01z57Hlfn3d1?si=GFGsvvggTmqU04FEdDvcAQ

Today we interview Mike Miller, President of Sterk Solutions. Mr. Miller has served in both the public and the private sectors; boasting experience in engineering, research, technology transfer, business development, and operations. Sterk Solutions Corporation has supported radio and remote sensing licensing for small satellites for 15 years and has successfully helped launch 100 spacecraft. While his experience with radio spectrum management and licensing is exceptional, he is also a self-proclaimed nerd and collector of retro toys. Mike has been a great friend to Kevin and our CubeSat Development Teams, helping to guide the students in the licensing process for both the WeissSat-1 and CapSat 1

Stay tuned for our takeaways after the show, and if you or a student you know is interested in joining a CubeSat team, see the notes in the description for more information on the Aerospace and Innovation Academy

FB: https://www.facebook.com/Go2Space

Google form AIA Summer Sessions sign-up:  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdgdzyflqlE5Q-2w_-LSC4kiCbPVwP6KCI6XN69v-aZgMO-Qw/viewform?usp=sf_link

In previous episodes, we talked about the importance of getting students involved in advocacy. You may recall our Episode 3 interview with Dale Ketchum of Space Florida, which promotes Space Day each year in Tallahassee. Then in episode  7, we spoke with Congressman Brian Mast of Florida’s 18th district, whom our students met with regularly during AIAA CVD each year. Today, we meet with four students who have been active participants in aerospace advocacy to get their perspectives on how talking to legislators has opened up opportunities and created new perspectives.

8th graders Beau Kimler, Paul Kiseling, and Anthony and Andrew Zhang have been both junior advocates as well as leaders along the way. They share with us tips for advocating for a cause you are passionate about and how teamwork is important in getting the job done. Although this year’s visits were virtual, the experience of impacting legislation is always positive.

Stay tuned after the episode for our takeaways and check out VODCASTS of our episodes on the Aerospace and Innovation Academy YoutTube Channel HERE: https://www.youtube.com/user/KSimBBTKE/playlists

For information about our Summer Science and Space Sessions for students, register here: 

Dr. Jaydeep Mukherjee is an astronomer, faculty at the Univ of Central Florida, and the Director of the NASA Florida Space Grant Consortium. This consortium is a state-wide association of universities, colleges, the Astronaut Memorial Foundation, Space Florida, Kennedy Space Center, and the Orlando Science Center. The Florida Space Grant Consortium supports the expansion and diversification of Florida’s space industry, by providing grants, scholarships, and fellowships to students and educators from Florida’s public and private institutes of higher education.

Dr. Mukherjee's education culminated at the Univ of Florida with a Ph.D. in Astronomy and his areas of interest are close binary star systems.  Dr. Mukherjee is a strong supporter of STEM Education.

For almost 20 years Dr. Mukherjee has served as Director of the NASA sponsored Florida Space Grant Consortium (FSGC) He has held numerous leadership roles including  Director of the Florida Space Institute, Chair of the Southeast Regional Space Grant, and as a member of the National Space Grant Foundation Board of Directors. He's won numerous awards for excellence in outreach and published the book entitled "Close Binary Stars: A Pictorial Atlas" along with co-authors Dr. Robert Wilson and Dr. Dirk Terrell.

Dr. Mukherjee has been a true friend and supporter to both educators and students in the state of Florida for over two decades. 

Today, Kevin and I reconnect with Frances Dellutri,  member of the NSS Board of Directors and its Deputy Education Director. In this role she founded and facilitated the NSS Student spUN (Debate program  in 2017. Post Covid, she has pivoted to a completely virtual platform which allows students aged 12-18 from around the world to discuss ideas of universalization in space and the policies that should exist to facilitate.

Ms. Dellutri believes strongly in the NSS mission “to promote social, economic, technological, and political change in order to expand civilization beyond Earth, to settle space and to use the resulting resources to build a hopeful and prosperous future for humanity” in various professional venues. See their links below for teacher and student material and opportunties. 

https://spacedge.academy/

https://space.nss.org/

https://space.nss.org/space-ambassadors/

https://space.nss.org/health-and-diet-contest-for-long-duration-space-flight/

https://space.nss.org/international-students-to-debate-space-policy-and-good-governance-at-isdc-2019/

Episode 10: A Hero and Pioneer: The Inspiring Story of Gunther Karger

Today, we are honored to interview the esteemed Gunther Karger. Mr. Karger’s story is both amazing and diverse, starting with his birth and early years in Germany, where he narrowly escaped death on the last children’s transport out of Germany to Sweden. Shortly after his departure, his parents and grandparents were murdered by the Nazis.

After WWII, and moving from several foster homes and orphanages,  young Karger was sent to the U.S. where he later joined the Air Force, becoming an instructor in aircraft radars. He earned a degree in electrical engineering at LSU and quickly advanced in the aerospace industry working in the missile and space program. Mr. Karger was one of three engineers which developed the world’s first communication satellite, and he served in a national security role reporting to the White House and Secretary of Defense during the Cold War. From there, Karger pioneered V/STOL aircraft for the commercial aviation industry and developed a computer model for forecasting revenue for Eastern Airlines, which he managed for 15 years.

Gunther is a Life Senior Member of the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and electronics engineers) and served as its Canaveral Chapter President during the Apollo program. He also is a Fellow of the British Interplanetary Society citing contributions during the early period of America’s space program. During the Cold War, Gunther s named “Outstanding Young Man of America” for his contributions to National Security. Currently, he serves on the Board of directors of Missile, Space, and Range Pioneers manages a hedge fund that specializes in the aero industry and has authored books on his time on Wall Street.

And now, here’s Kevin along with Gunther and his wife, Shirley, to share a little more about his fascinating life.

This past year, I was fortunate to present two technical papers related to the importance of early childhood identity development in relation to STEM careers. One of the most interesting takeaways I learned from my research is that students as young as 5 begin to identify themselves in careers based on what they recognize or what they see. Have a parent in a STEM field? Children identify with that. If children don’t have this exposure at home, teachers can play an early role in that same development. The premise was that curriculums and teachers can do more to help students see themselves in STEM. Today, our guest does just that.

Monika Moorman is a 4th grade teacher from South Florida. Originally from Poland, Monika is a Nationally Board-Certified Teacher and has over 20 years of classroom experience. She’s been selected for a number of fellowships and has presented at numerous state and national conferences. Monika is a genuine STEM and environmental enthusiast and engages her students in numerous after school teams and activities, including Robotics, SECME, and the Solar Car Team. She volunteers as a Space Station Ambassador through NASA’s JPL. We are excited to have the chance to speak with her today.

After our interview, we learned that Monika was selected as Broward County's Teacher of the Year AND was inducted into the latest flight of Spaec Foundation Teacher Liaisons! Congratulations to this awesome teacher and mentor. 

Space Foundation Discovery Center is the Colorado's first and only dedicated space, science and technology center. It is an interactive, education-focused destination that advances STEAM concepts in the exciting context of space exploration, development and utilization.They also oversee a special group of educators to whom both Kevin and I belong, Teacher Liaisons. Teacher Liaisons are educators who use space-related education programs and principles in the classroom to act as advocates for space-based education in their schools and districts. Once selected for the program, TLs receive Space Foundation training and resources to further integrate space into their classrooms.

To tell us more about this program, we are joined by Jodie Guillen and Ruth Butler both of whom are responsible for creating professional development for Liaisons to and to implement programs and integrative field trips to enhance STEAM.

Our special guest is Congressman for Florida’s 18th district Brian Mast. In addition to being an army veteran, Mast is in his third term of elected office. In 2017 our Policy Team students reached out to him to propose and idea for legislation that would increase awareness of NASA’s CubeSat Launch Initiative. Over the next few years, the students would work closely with the Representative’s legislative team to participate first hand in the legislative process, writing what came to be known as HR 109 and 2020's HR 85:  CubeSats in Education.

Today, Congressman Mast takes time out of his busy schedule to discuss how students, teachers and the citizens at large can take part in advocacy. He is joined by former policy team member and current high school student Aadhya Shah who shares how her experiences on the policy team helped shape her future by creating an experience she will never forget. Stay tuned to the end of the show where Kevin reminds us of an upcoming contest for students and teachers in conjunction with Explore Mars.