This is a guest blog post from Science Cheerleader Summer (NASA engineer and former Houston Texans cheerleader). Below, Summer shares her interview with Dr. Sandra Magnus who was the last female astronaut to fly on the last Space Shuttle mission.

The final Space Shuttle mission, STS-135, ended on July 21st when Atlantis rolled to its final stop at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The Space Shuttle program spanned an era of 30 years (as long as I’ve been alive) and achieved many great things for our nation, including technological advancement and building one of the most amazing structures that remains above us – the International Space Station. Thousands of bright, committed and passionate men and women contributed with perseverance and endurance of challenges which resulted in such a successful part of our United States space program – NASA. As a member of the NASA team for 8 years now and as a Science Cheerleader, I decided to find a just few small facts about female astronauts in the Space Shuttle Program to share with all of you Science Cheerleader fans. (You can go learn more about NASA astronauts here.)

• 1983 – Dr. Sally Ride was the first woman to fly on a Space Shuttle
• 1995 – Eileen Collins was the first woman pilot of a Space Shuttle
• 1999 – Eileen Collins was the first female Space Shuttle Commander
• 49 women flew on Space Shuttles
• 44 Americans
• 2 Canadians
• 2 Japanese
• 1 Russian
• 2011 – Sandra Magnus was the last female astronaut to fly on the last Space Shuttle mission

Sandra Magnus is an astronaut I was particularly interested in hearing from because in November 2008, she was part of the crew that installed Crew Quarters on the International Space Station. Crew Quarters was a project I worked on as an engineer for just over four years here at Johnson Space Center in Houston, TX and my greatest engineering achievement to date! When the opportunity arose to interview astronauts on the history-making, very last Space Shuttle mission, STS-135, I decided to ask Sandra questions about her first experiences with science, becoming an astronaut, challenges she faced, her interests outside of science and engineering and, of course, her experience with my project, Crew Quarters. Read the interview below and see what you might have in common with an astronaut and if there is anything you can learn from Sandra.

Summer: What was your first real experience with science/engineering?
Sandra: I remember dissecting frogs in my middle school science class. I am not sure why I remember that so clearly but that definitely was one of my first formal experiences. We also studied the solar system. I think, though, that I have always been curious about how the world works. I remember my parents purchasing a book for me titled “200 Questions Why” when I was very young.

Summer: Why did you decide to become an astronaut?
Sandra: I wanted to explore and work on the edge of technology and of course, see the planet from space!

Summer: What education and experiences brought you to where you are now?
Sandra: Well I started off in Physics. When I was in high school and formulating my plan for how I was going to get someday, hopefully, to the Astronaut office I really did not know anything about Engineering. So I latched on to Physics as my means. Physics was a great fit for me because it explains how the world works and as I mentioned before that was something that always intrigued me. When I got to college I discovered Engineering and that became interesting to me. I also got tired of school so I decided to work for a while and get a masters, in Electrical Engineering at night. I worked in stealth technology at McDonnell Douglas helping to design a new kind of aircraft. It was there that my interest in materials and how they work matured. At that point I decided to do my PhD in the study of materials. In some ways this was the perfect intersection of science and engineering. After my PhD I applied to the Astronaut program and was lucky enough to get selected. So I started with one plan, go Physics all the way, and as I got out into the world and broadened my horizons, I discovered other interests and changed my plan. I think it is important to have a plan but not to be afraid to change it or alter as you pursue your goal and broaden your experience base.

Summer: What challenges did you face growing up and/or in school as a girl?
Sandra: Well in high school I was considered one of the “smart girls” and did not ever go to a prom or date much. At the time that was kind of tough but it is probably not outside of the norm for most teen-agers. It is an age where we all feel awkward no matter who we are and what labels are applied to us. You just have to believe in yourself and be yourself!
Summer: Describe your interaction with ISS Crew Quarters delivered to the station on STS-126. {I am personally curious since I was an engineer on the Crew Quarters team and would like to share it with the girls} How do the Crew Quarters affect life on the Space Station?
Sandra: First of all my I actually built both of the crew quarters that we delivered on STS-126. They arrived “some assembly” required with lots of piece parts. It felt like Christmas a bit! The procedures were well done and they went together fairly straightforwardly. The only issue that I really had to deal with mechanically was the use of torque tip fasteners as launch restraint devices. These kinds of fasteners should never be used in applications where they are expected to be removed, especially in space. The physics involved in applying the necessary force and direction is difficult is space and these fasteners strip very easily. But, in any event, the crew quarters are essential for life on the space station. It is very important to have your own private space to keep your stuff and have a place to have “quiet” time. At the end of the day I would retire to my personal space and talk to my family, write journals, review photos, watch a movie on the computer and things like that. The quiet and private space an individual crew quarters provides in extremely important!!

Summer: What advice would you give to girls considering careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math fields?
Sandra: I would encourage any young person interested in the STEM fields to follow their interest. There is so many interesting and exciting things going on in science, technology and exploration that I sometimes wish I had more time on my hands so I could branch out more. There are whole fields in existence now, such as biotechnology and nanotechnology and the intersection of the two, that were just emerging as I finished my studies. It is just fascinating! But more than that, I think one of the most valuable skills that you gain from studying in the STEM area is the ability to solve problems. That is what all of the training is about- looking at a problem, understanding how to break it down into small manageable chunks and then solve each chunk to finally get to the solution to the problem. This is a valuable life skill applicable in every aspect of everyday living!

Summer: What are your future plans?
Sandra: Well at the moment we are still finishing out the last of our STS-135 duties and I see that continuing for several months yet. After that I will have to look to the future so you may have to check back with me towards the end of the year. I have not had much time to think about it and probably will not until then.

Summer: What are your interests outside of STEM?
Sandra: I like to exercise, mainly running, swimming and weight lifting. I am also a soccer player although I have not been able to play for the last few years due to flight assignments (they don’t want us to get hurt while we are in training). I am hoping to start playing again early next year. I love to cook, bake, read and travel as well.

I now know that I have a few things in common with Sandra. I was just like her when I was growing up – considered a “smart girl” and didn’t date much. Sandra also taught me that the Crew Quarters are very useful in space, which really makes an engineer feel good, but that more appropriate fasteners should have been used in the design. (I plan to store that in my memory bank for my next big space flight project. Thanks, Sandra!)

What did you learn from Sandra? What do you have in common with this history making astronaut? Leave a comment!

I encourage you to absorb her advice on considering a career in a Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math-related field. Remember, if she can be an astronaut, so can you! Girls, we can do anything!

As Sandra said, she is wrapping up her STS-135 duties and still making plans for her future. Hopefully, we can touch base with her in a few months to see where STEM takes her next!
Goooooooooooooooo Science!!
Summer
Science Cheerleader and Aerospace Engineer

As featured on the BBC this week. Reporter Jane O’Brien profiles the Science Cheerleader event at NASA:

NASA has put men on the moon and robots on Mars…but getting girls interested in science remains a struggle. Across America the gender gap is widening and the Obama administration is warning that the nation is falling behind other countries in science, technology, engineering and math.
Now NASA is trying a new, but controversial approach to the problem – enlisting the help of women who’ve made a career in these subjects, but who might be better known for their dance steps and ability to shake a pompom. The Science Cheerleaders are professional cheerleaders  but also chemists, engineers, biologists and doctors. At the request of NASA and the White House they’ve come to Washington to help raise awareness of science among girls.

Jane O’Brien reports: Science_CHEERLEADER_MIX

And, here’s a cool video NASA put together for its This Week@NASA series.

Last week, the Science Cheerleaders performed at a White House/NASA celebration of Women’s History Month. Keynote speakers included Valerie Jarrett (senior White House adviser), Lori Garver (Deputy Director of NASA who told us she, too, was once a cheerleader) and astronaut Tracy Caldwell Dyson, who recently returned from six months in space aboard the International Space Station. I cannot say enough about the talks each woman delivered and I encourage you to take some time to watch the recorded event, which I will post when I have the link.

Tracy is a cheerleader for space exploration, chemistry (she has a PhD in chem) and helping kids tap their inner sources of strength. As you can see from this picture, she sure has the cheerleader-stance (she out-cheers me, that’s for sure!). It was an honor to work with Tracy and the professionals at NASA.

The Science Cheerleaders left feeling totally inspired and ready to spread the gospel of space exploration and girl-power!

On March 16, 2011, the Science Cheerleaders–scientists and engineers who are also current and former professional cheerleaders for the NBA, NFL and other pro sports leagues– performed at NASA’s headquarters in Washington, D.C. as part of the White House’s celebration of Women in History Month! After their performance, they shared the stage with NASA education specialists and answered questions posed by some of the 200 young female students in the audience. Then, White House senior adviser Valerie Jarrett, NASA deputy director Lori Garver, and astronaut Tracy Caldwell Dyson (who just returned from six months in space in the International Space Station) inspired the audience (including me!) and even gave some shout-outs to the Science Cheerleaders. Hands up!

Here are the Science Cheerleaders who were invited to performed at the White House/NASA event to help challenge stereotypes and inspire young women to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and math. Video to follow shortly. The routines were choreographed by ScICheer’s creative director, Laura Eilers of Going Pro Entertainment. (Click on their photos to read their Science Cheerleader interviews!)

Come see the Science Cheerleader perform, do science activities with them, and get their autographs at their next event: the Philadelphia Science Festival on Saturday, April 16!

Summer, Houston Texans, NASA engineer

Margaret, Baltimore Blast, Chemist (earning PhD)

Sammi Jo, Baltimore Ravens, Chemistry Teacher

Erin, St. Louis Rams, B.S. Biology; earning PsyD

Amanda, St. Louis Rams, Med Student, Columbia U

Heidi, K.C. Chiefs, Physical Therapist

Kristen, Baltimore Ravens, Science Teacher

Andrea, D.C. Wizards, Chemistry Student

Come join us! Want to sponsor us? Great! Email Darlene@sciencecheerleader.com . Would your favorite lil’ cheerleader like to be ePenPals with a Science Cheerleader? Simple! Email penpal@sciencecheerleader.com

Summer, Houston Texans, NASA engineer

Hi! I’m Summer and I’m an engineer at NASA and a former Houston Texans cheerleader. Earlier, in my SciCheer interview, I talked about how my aerospace engineering courses helped increase my critical thinking skills. Well, this next Science of NFL Football segment aligns with that nicely.

In this segment, “Vectors,” NFL players Joey Harrington and Antonio Freemon demonstrate how velocity vectors play a role in calculating the perfect “threading a needle” play, or, completion (when a quarterback nails a perfect pass to a receiver). Wait until you see how vectors and critical thinking skills come together in the mind of a quarterback! I’m thrilled to introduce the third Science of NFL Football segment, produced in partnership with the NFL, NBC, and the National Science Foundation. Bring on VECTORS!

If you’re an educator, be sure to visit NBC Learn to download free supplemental educators’ guides. Goooo science! And Goooo National Science Foundation for making this possible. Previous Science of NFL Football segments can be found here.

Story Musgrave is a good friend and colleague. He’s also, hands-down, the smartest, straightest-talker I’ve ever met. We first worked together back when I ran the Discover Magazine Awards at Disney and Story was a (favorite) presenter. Since then, we’ve worked together in various capacities.

Earlier this year, the White House made several (at times contradictory) reports about the future of NASA. I needed clarity so I turned to Story who granted me this interview in late April. He’s a farm boy who went on to fix the Hubble Telescope and I knew he’d cut straight through the BS and deliver the facts framed by his years of experience and knowledge.

Story has 7 graduate degrees in math, computers, chemistry, medicine, physiology, literature and psychology. Story was an NASA astronaut for over 30 years, a portion of which he spent as a part-time trauma surgeon, and flew on six spaceflights. He performed the first shuttle spacewalk on Challenger’s first flight, was a pilot on an astronomy mission, conducted two classified DOD missions, was the lead spacewalker on the Hubble Telescope repair mission and on his last flight, he operated an electronic chip manufacturing satellite on Columbia.

He’s not shy about sharing his informed opinions when invited to do so. So I did so.
I asked him what he thought about President Obama’s space policies:

“We’re going nowhere, we’re going to launch nothing, we’re going to do nothing.
It takes us 15 years to do what we did in 5 years, 50 years ago.”

I pushed him to help explain why the public is no longer enthused about space. His response:

“Space holds a mirror up for what it means to be a human being. The public IS excited about space but we have to give them something. The Space Station was a massive strategic error. For the cost of that [...] the entire solar system would have been covered. Instead, we’re giving the public nothing.”

Here’s the full interview, the release of which coincides nicely with Story’s birthday on August 19th. Story’s willing to do a follow-up so let me know if you have additional questions you’d like me to ask him. (Special thanks to Mike Lucek for his technical assistance.)

Meet Summer, a former Houston Texans cheerleader who now spends her days developing space flight hardware. This interview is part of a series of Science Cheerleader’s nationally recognized efforts to playfully challenge stereotypes.

SciCheer: Please tell me when/how you first became interested in engineering.

Summer: When I was a freshman in high school I watched Apollo 13 in my Earth Science class and felt immediately inspired to become an engineer at NASA.

SciCheer: What  type of engineer are you and what turned you on to this field?

Summer: I hold a Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering.  My interest in atmospheric flight and beyond fueled my desire to pursue Aerospace Engineering.

SciCheer: Do you find that your looks (or being a former cheerleader) helped or hindered your studies or professional experiences? (Were you taken seriously?)

Summer: I recall a few students and professors looking at me as if I were lost as I proceeded through the halls of the engineering building at school for the first few weeks.  At work, there was some negative reaction to the fact that my part-time job was on the sidelines of a football field.  It could have hindered me, had I allowed it but I pressed on and, in the end, I was taken seriously.  Beauty can be both a curse and an advantage in a woman’s professional life.

SciCheer: Tell me a little about your favorite courses you took to prepare for your work?

Summer: I absolutely loved learning engineering!  My favorite courses were Aerospace Propulsions, Space Dynamics, Aerospace Design, Flight Mechanics and Controls and Aircraft Accident Investigation.  Though my career has taken me in a direction in which I do not commonly use the technical specifics of these courses they prepared me in other ways.  The course work enhanced my critical thinking and problem solving ability as well taught me presentation skills and engineering professionalism.  The variety of classes really opened my eyes to previously unimaginable possibilities for a career in the engineering world.

SciCheer: Can you describe a “typical day” at work?

Summer: There is no typical day at work in my current position.  There is always something new, which I enjoy.  I spend 90% of my time in laboratories where engineers and technicians are working to develop and sustain space flight hardware containing electronics.

SciCheer: Do you have any advice for middle or high school girls who might feel torn between following one dream (cheerleading or dancing) associated with beauty or following another (science/engineering/medicine) usually associated with, well, geeks?

Summer: There is no reason why you cannot do both! Learn good time management skills and develop healthy habits (proper eating, sleeping & exercise) so you can physically, mentally and happily pursue the dual role.  These dreams can collide and create huge success for you.

SciCheer: Best cheerleading experience?

Summer: It is very difficult to choose one moment as my best cheerleading experience.  Aside from every game day performance, my best experiences lie in what I got to do off of the field as a cheerleader.  An appearance on ESPN Cold Pizza and 1 vs. 100 game show, starring in NFL Presents: Rocket Science, being a key note speaker at the 2009 Super Sci-Tech Saturday Conference and flying on a KC-135 during a mid-air refueling mission with the Texas Air National Guard are a few experiences that really stand out.

SciCheer: Best engineering experience?
My best engineering experience was watching the project I worked on for 4 years – International Space Station Crew Quarters – launch on Space Shuttle Endeavor in November 2008.  I stood with my project team as we watched Crew Quarters blast off on Endeavor into a beautiful night sky aiming for their final destination, the International Space Station, to be used by astronauts for years to come. It was what I deemed my first engineering success and best engineering experience.

SciCheer: Anything you’d like to add that you want people to know?

Summer: While I was earning my engineering degree I also earned my Private Pilot’s license. In addition to an academic scholarship that I received from Cessna Aircraft Company, I participated in pageants through the Miss Kansas Organization to earn scholarship dollars for my education.  The pageants involved interview, talent, swimsuit and evening gown competitions as well as promoting a platform.

SciCheer: What is your current position?

Summer: My position changed just under one year ago.  Formerly, I was a project engineer in the Crew and Thermal Systems Division at NASA – Johnson Space Center.  I currently work as the contractor Sustaining Engineering Lab Manager in the Avionic Systems Division.

SciCheer: Which team(s) did you cheer for and when?

Summer: Houston Texans – 2005, 2006, 2007

[Meet Summer and a dozen other Science Cheerleaders--procheerleaders-turned-scientist--as they perform live at the U.S.A. Science and Engineering Festival in Washington, D.C., Oct 23-24. Then, back at the Science Cheerleader/Going Pro Entertainment exhibit, get their autographs and hear first-hand how they bridged two seemingly different worlds. Interested sponsors should contact darlene@sciencecheerleader.com.]

Calling all sophomores, juniors and seniors interested in space or robotics. You have until January 18th to apply to the NASA Academy. Check it out! (h/t Bart Leahy)

This ain’t yo’ daddy’s NASA no mo’.  Today, NASA launches Mission Science, a site designed specifically for teens “who have their own unique language and style,” according to this morning’s NASA press release. Teens can access real-time spacecraft data, conduct experiments with NASA scientists, find space-related summer internships, and participate in a host of social networking initiatives. And, yes, it’s also designed to showcase NASA’s vast “collection of educational resources and encourage students to study and pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math, or STEM.” Yes, yes, there are still shades of yo’ daddy’s NASA but this is a great start. True fact: NASA has accounts on MySpace, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and more. NASA, you da bomb!