Let's Go to Space: BLUE-SKY Learning

Today we meet with our friend and former employer, Dr. Denise Spirou.

Dr. Denise Spirou is the founding Head of School at The Greene School, an independent PreK through 8th grade school for high-performing students in West Palm Beach, Florida. Dr. Spirou created the curriculum and culture at Greene nearly tripling enrollment in under three years. She joined the school after a 16-year tenure at another Florida private school for gifted children where she worked  as a teacher and administrator, earning her credentials as one of the region’s leading educators.

Due to her extensive knowledge and experience, Dr. Spirou is in demand as an instructor for gifted coursework, workshops and leadership training. Her personalized connection with all her constituents from students, parents, and teachers makes her a powerhouse in academic leadership. Today, she will share her perspectives about how the right learning environment can make all the difference for any student with a. focus on the academically gifted,  and she offers inspirational advice for teachers and parents of these exceptional children. As always, stay tuned after the episode for our takeaways.

The Greene School website: https://greene.school/

The Greene School FB:  https://www.facebook.com/thegreeneschool

John McClure is the President and CEO of Sicuro Technology, which specializes in satellite and radio communications. Mr. McClure also has over twenty-five years of experience in the IOT or internet of things space, leading the development and business team for the General Motors OnStar subsidiary-- the original large scale IoT commercial business. As an information technology senior manager for Electronic Data Systems (EDS) John provided leadership for $4.2 billion of products and services.

As an entrepreneur John created three technology startups in the software and systems integration industry, providing services to many markets including logistics, aerospace, as well as commercial and general aviation. Mr. McClure also Provided leadership for the State of Ohio’s Economic Development program which provided millions of dollars in investment capital for new technologies emerging from the state’s universities and medical centers.

Kevin met John through a shared love of CubeSats. In fact, John McClure was largely responsible for the initial formation of Nebraska's first CubeSat team, the BigRedOne, in 2020. The BigRedOne team was the first in Nebraska selected by NASAs CubeSat Launch Initiative earlier this year.

Stay tuned for our takeaways after the show.

bigredsat.org:  BigRedSat website

https://www.aerospacehigh.org/. Aerospace and Innovation Academy website

Looking for a great way for your STEM-loving middle or high school student to stay engaged this summer? Check out our offerings through the Aerospace and Innovation Academy's Summer Science and Space Sessions-- three distinct and unique virtual camps coming your way in July. Still time to register but don't delay. Deadline June 28th!

In this bonus episode, Kevin discusses Science Fair Iteration, Orbital Mechanics, and CubeSat Mission Planning offerings.

Link for registration:  https://forms.gle/wUXjBLeLjgwyrcV7A

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.