Role Models in Science & Engineering
carlyo | July 24, 2013Peggy Whitson -- NASA Astronaut and Biochemist
We continue to recognize 50 Years of Women in Space with STEM Role Model Peggy Whitson. Peggy Whitson grew up on a farm in Iowa with big dreams of becoming a NASA Astronaut. She was the first female commander of the International Space Station and a veteran of six space walks. She set records among American Astronauts for spending the most time in space.
Her achievements as a veteran space explorer are well known among the distinguished ranks of NASA astronauts, but learn of her harrowing and life-threatening journey back to Earth after her…
carlyo | July 10, 2013Clara Barton -- Nurse, Educator
Her work as a dedicated battlefield nurse during the Civil War, and her founding of the American Red Cross helped set the standards for emergency medical care and disaster relief.
She was so timid, shy and depressed as a child that she was removed from school. But later Clara Barton transformed these drawbacks into a career of helping others, hallmarked by her service as a valued nurse in treating wounded soldiers in the Civil War and later founding the American Red Cross. Learn how Clara -- known for her gutsy, no-nonsense attitude as a leader -- built a…
carlyo | June 28, 2013Stephen Hawking: Theoretical Physicist and Bestselling Author
Stephen Hawking is often regarded as one of the most brilliant theoretical physicists since Einstein. He is best known for his compelling insights into such areas as Black Holes, relativity and quantum mechanics.
Since bursting onto the international scene in 1988 with his bestselling book, “A Brief History of Time", Stephen Hawking has become synonymous with helping us understand fundamental mysteries of physics and our existence, such as: Where did the universe come from? How and why did it begin? Will it come to an end, and if…
carlyo | June 26, 2013Kalpana Chawla -- Aerospace Engineer, NASA Astronaut
Born in the small town of Karnal, India, she became hooked on flight when she took her first plane ride in a small craft through the local flying club. Kalpana Chawla would later become a certified FAA flight instructor, a talented aerospace engineer, and a NASA astronaut. She was the first Indian American Astronaut and the first Indian-born woman in space. Her promising future ended in 2003 when she died with 6 fellow astronauts aboard the shuttle Columbia over Texas.
Read more to discover how her memory and love of spaceflight are being…
carlyo | June 6, 2013Karin Muraszko – Pediatric Neurosurgeon
--The first and only female to head an academic neurosurgery department in the U.S.
--Successfully handles her demanding surgical schedule despite having spina bifida (curvature of the spine)
Of the approximately 4,920 neurosurgeons in the United States today, only about 5.6 percent – or 277 – are women. Discover one of the female pioneers in this field and her work as a leading pediatric neurosurgeon to treat children suffering from disorders and injuries to the brain and spinal cord. Moreover, learn how she herself has dealt with a spinal…
carlyo | May 16, 2013Heroes should never be forgotten, but unfortunately too many of them in the field of science go missing from our classroom textbooks. Equally disturbing is that a disproportionate number of these heroes overlooked are women and minorities.
While the average American young person will likely have no trouble detailing the latest antics of such stars as Ashton Kutcher, Lindsay Lohan, or Kanye & Kim, most, sadly, would be hard-pressed to tell you who the following trailblazers in science were:
-- Molecular biologist Rosiland Franklin, who was responsible for much of the research and discovery…
carlyo | April 18, 2013Celebrating another Role Model in Science & Engineering Achievement!
Rock and roll as we know it today would not exist without his invention --the solid body electric guitar. Little wonder legends like Eric Clapton, Paul McCartney and Eddie Van Halen consider him an icon. Throughout his life, Les remained an innovator as a guitar player and sound engineering pioneer.
Read the full biography of Les Paul here.
carlyo | April 17, 2013Celebrating another role model in science & engineering achievement! Bonnie Dunbar played a key role in building the Space Shuttle craft and developing its thermal protection system. A veteran of five Space Shuttle flights, she today serves as a role model to thousands in STEM education and careers
To read the full biography of Bonnie Dunbar click here.
carlyo | April 4, 2013Celebrating Role Models in Science & Engineering Achievement!
Ali Javan's important work is a major component of what you are doing right now- using the internet. To read his full biography and the profiles of all our STEM Role Models click here.
carlyo | March 27, 2013Celebrating Women's History Month with another STEM Role Model! In today’s blog we feature Nanomaterials Physicist Dr. Diandra Leslie-Pelecky.
We are excited to announce that Dr. Leslie-Pelecky will be serving as a Nifty Fifty Speaker for the Festival!
She has appeared on television for ESPN, H2 and VOOM channels, and in print for publications such as TIME and Sporting News magazines, and professional society publications such as C&EN and the Materials Research Society Bulletin. She appears periodically on the SiriusXM Speedway satellite radio program where she uses science to dispel…
carlyo | March 26, 2013Celebrating Women's History Month with another STEM Role Model!
Often rated among the top 10 forensic science experts today. Became internationally known for her work with the United Nations in conducting forensic investigations of mass grave genocide killings in Rwanda and the Balkans -- and through such scientific evidence, helped bring perpetrators of such killings to justice, including former Yugoslav president Slobodan Milosevic for war crimes
Read all about the important work of one of the top 10 Forensic Scientists Clea Koff here
carlyo | March 21, 2013The USA Science & Engineering Festival is thrilled to introduce our elite group of X-STEM and Nifty Fifty Speakers for the 3rd Festival! In today's blog we feature Physicist and former NASA Astronaut Dr. Kathryn Thornton!
We are excited to announce that Dr. Kathryn Thornton will serve as both an X-STEM and Nifty Fifty Speaker for the Festival! Selected in 1984 by NASA as an astronaut candidate, Kathryn Thornton would go on to serve 12 notable years with NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston -- a career which would see her become the second American woman to walk in space, in addition to…