Sly Gittens💡’s Post

🚀 Spotlight on Excellence: Dr. Aprille Ericsson 🚀 Today, we celebrate a remarkable trailblazer in aerospace engineering, Dr. Aprille Ericsson. Her extraordinary achievements and relentless pursuit of excellence have not only broken barriers but have also set new standards in science and engineering. As the first African American woman to receive a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Howard University and the first African American woman to receive a Ph.D. in engineering at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, Dr. Ericsson’s journey is one of inspiration, dedication, and groundbreaking accomplishments. Why Celebrate Dr. Aprille Ericsson? • 🌌 Pioneering Achievements: Dr. Ericsson’s work has significantly contributed to NASA’s missions, including her involvement in the development of spacecraft and instruments that study our universe. • 🏆 Award-Winning Excellence: Her numerous awards and recognitions speak volumes about her contributions to STEM and her role as a mentor and role model for young scientists and engineers, especially women and people of color. • 📚 Advocate for Education: Beyond her technical achievements, Dr. Ericsson is a staunch advocate for STEM education, dedicating her time to inspire the next generation of engineers and scientists. Dr. Ericsson’s legacy is a beacon of what can be achieved with passion, perseverance, and a commitment to excellence. Her story teaches us that the sky is not the limit—it’s just the beginning. Let’s Discuss: • How can we further support diversity and inclusion in STEM fields to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to reach their potential? • What impact does mentorship have in shaping the careers of aspiring scientists and engineers? Join the conversation and share your thoughts. Let’s honor Dr. Aprille Ericsson by committing to inspire and support the next generation of STEM leaders. 🌟 #STEM #AerospaceEngineering #DiversityInSTEM #AprilleEricsson #WomenInSTEM #Inspiration

Meet Dr. Abigail Juhl, a Materials Research Engineer at the Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory. Dr. Juhl is making significant strides in the field of materials science, contributing to the advancement of aerospace technologies. Her work involves developing innovative materials that enhance the performance and safety of aircraft and spacecraft, crucial for the future of aviation and space exploration. How She’s Making an Impact: Innovative Research: Dr. Juhl’s research focuses on creating new materials that can withstand extreme conditions, essential for both aviation and space missions. STEM Education Advocate: She actively participates in mentoring programs and STEM outreach initiatives, inspiring the next generation of scientists and engineers. Collaborative Projects: Her projects often involve collaboration with universities, government agencies, and industry partners, promoting a multidisciplinary approach to solving complex problems. 🔗 Learn more about Dr. Juhl and her work: https://lnkd.in/d2CwBzqk #STEMEducation #Aerospace #WomenInSTEM #SciTechInstitute #STEMSpotlight

International Day of Women and Girls in Science takes place on February 11th to allow us to honour women’s significant achievements in science and place a much-needed focus on girls entering Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) careers. Including more women in male-dominated areas will bring in fresh points of view, new talent and creativity. It can also help increase women's social and financial position in some countries. 5 Women In Science You Should Know: 1. Katherine Johnson: A mathematician calculating orbital mechanics for NASA and was critical to the first crewed spaceflight. 2. Lillian Gilbreth: Was one of the first American female engineers to earn a Ph.D. and the first female engineering professor at Purdue University. 3. Ruth Benerito: She was an American chemist and inventor with 55 patents; her most notable invention was wash and wear cotton fabrics. 4. Edith Clarke: She was the first American woman professionally employed as an electrical engineer as well as the first female electrical engineering professor in the country. 5. Rachel Carson: Her book, The Silent Spring brought attention to the use of pesticides in America which led to changes in our pesticide policies and, through enhanced conservationism, ultimately led to the creation of the US Environmental Protection Agency. Today allows more women to be innovative and achieve developments in science and technology. The greater the number of women who enter the field, the more technological advancements will be made. #InternationaldayofWomenandGirlsinScience #Internationalday #womeninscience #women #science #girls #stem #chemistry #space #engineering #chemist #inventor #NASA 

The IEEE STEM Summit is coming on 23-25 October 2024! Are you a #STEMeducator in the classroom or engaged in informal education? If you are looking to help students pursue STEM-related professions and thrive in our high-tech society, then the IEEE #STEM Summit is for you! Check out this IEEE TryEngineering article to learn more about the keynotes before the IEEE STEM Summit. https://bit.ly/4cKHpQK

UTEP Aerospace Center just wrapped up its annual Southwest Emerging Technology Symposium. In 2011, when the Aerospace Center was still a fledgling research program, we started this event to allow our student researchers to showcase their work. In the last 12 years, the symposium has become a major convergence event for our students, faculty, and preeminent industry and agency leaders and during the intense two-day event, a special moment caught my eye. A few aerospace center research engineers and student researchers were in a profound conversation with Pat Lampton. Pat Lampton, one of our nation’s renowned experts in Solid Rocket Propulsion and former NASA Chief Engineer for the Ares 1st Stage Launch Vehicle, recently joined the Aerospace Center as a Senior Technical Fellow. He is following his passion for educating the next generation of US Propulsion Engineers and found the Aerospace Center as his new home. No amount of classroom teaching can get even close to what Pat is teaching the students. He is teaching students real engineering and what it takes to design a rocket engine from his 35 years of career experience as a distinguished NASA Engineer. All these 24 years in UTEP building the Aerospace Center, this is all I wanted: my students get the best learning opportunities to compete with anyone in the nation. I wanted every El Paso student who showed up at the Aerospace Center’s door to have an amazing path to success. I,  personally, am going through a turbulent time on my own path and struggling to find clarity. But this image got frozen in my head and showed me why my career was relevant; it doesn’t matter what my future might be. The past 24 years are enough for me for the eternity.          Disclaimer: Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed herein are mine and do not necessarily reflect the views of the University of Texas at El Paso. I am not an institutional spokesperson. Any number or figure mentioned in my post is planned, estimated, or approximated by me and is not verified or endorsed by the University of Texas at El Paso. Please contact my employer for any official number.

🌠 A Pioneer of the Stars: Honoring George Alcorn 🌠 Let’s take a moment to celebrate the stellar contributions of George Alcorn, an inventor and physicist whose work has had a profound impact on aerospace technology and education. Known for his innovative developments in semiconductor devices, Alcorn’s invention of the imaging X-ray spectrometer has been a game-changer in the field of astronomy and beyond. Why George Alcorn is a Star in Science and Technology: • 🛰️ Space Exploration Enabler: His X-ray spectrometer invention has significantly advanced our ability to study and understand the cosmos, contributing to numerous space missions. • 🏅 Award-Winning Inventor: With over 20 patents to his name, Alcorn’s brilliance has been recognized with numerous awards, including being inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame. • 🎓 Mentor and Educator: Beyond his technical achievements, Alcorn is committed to inspiring the next generation, dedicating his career to educating and mentoring young scientists, particularly in underrepresented communities. Alcorn’s legacy is a testament to the power of innovation, the importance of mentorship, and the boundless possibilities of exploring the unknown. His work reminds us that the sky is not the limit—it’s just the beginning. Let’s Discuss: • How can we better support and encourage innovation in aerospace technology and research? • What can we do to inspire more young people to pursue careers in STEM, particularly in fields like space exploration? Join the conversation and share your thoughts. Let’s honor George Alcorn by aiming high, pursuing our passions, and making a positive impact on the world through science and technology. 🌌 #GeorgeAlcorn #Innovation #SpaceExploration #STEMEducation #AerospaceEngineering

🌠 A Pioneer of the Stars: Honoring George Alcorn 🌠 Let’s take a moment to celebrate the stellar contributions of George Alcorn, an inventor and physicist whose work has had a profound impact on aerospace technology and education. Known for his innovative developments in semiconductor devices, Alcorn’s invention of the imaging X-ray spectrometer has been a game-changer in the field of astronomy and beyond. Why George Alcorn is a Star in Science and Technology: • 🛰️ Space Exploration Enabler: His X-ray spectrometer invention has significantly advanced our ability to study and understand the cosmos, contributing to numerous space missions. • 🏅 Award-Winning Inventor: With over 20 patents to his name, Alcorn’s brilliance has been recognized with numerous awards, including being inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame. • 🎓 Mentor and Educator: Beyond his technical achievements, Alcorn is committed to inspiring the next generation, dedicating his career to educating and mentoring young scientists, particularly in underrepresented communities. Alcorn’s legacy is a testament to the power of innovation, the importance of mentorship, and the boundless possibilities of exploring the unknown. His work reminds us that the sky is not the limit—it’s just the beginning. Let’s Discuss: • How can we better support and encourage innovation in aerospace technology and research? • What can we do to inspire more young people to pursue careers in STEM, particularly in fields like space exploration? Join the conversation and share your thoughts. Let’s honor George Alcorn by aiming high, pursuing our passions, and making a positive impact on the world through science and technology. 🌌 #GeorgeAlcorn #Innovation #SpaceExploration #STEMEducation #AerospaceEngineering

I’am so Honoured and happy to join the G100: Mission Million Wing as France Country Chair for Space technology & Aviation. Thank you Dr. Harbeen Arora Rai and Shelli Brunswick for this prestigious invitation. G100: Mission Million is an eminent and empowered group of top 100 powerful women leaders in the world with a vision for the future, including Nobel Laureates, former Heads of States, Ministers, Businesswomen, Philanthropists, Investors, Entrepreneurs, Corporate and Community Leaders - all joined in a pact of purpose to create massive opportunities for women worldwide. Learn more about our mission and work at https://www.g100.in/. G100 Space Technology & Aviation Wing Vision Statement: To create access and opportunity in the growing global space and aviation ecosystem by raising awareness of this sector for women and underrepresented groups through a Workforce Development Roadmap highlighting role models and mentors, expanding educational training and networks, and promoting career paths and empowerment in space exploration, space-inspired industries and aviation Core Values: Sustainability. Integrity. Diversity. Inclusion. Community. Transparency. Empowerment. Flexibility. Creativity. Peace. G100 Mission: To provide thought leadership on what needs to be done for inclusivity, safety, economic, and social empowerment of women globally, addressing gender gaps, and achieving gender parity within this decade, impacting across governments and organizations for gender equality.   Core Activities: Networking. Mentoring. Collaborations. Upskilling. Community Building. Thought Leadership. Knowledge Sharing. Global Campaigns. Awards & Recognitions. Policy Recommendations. ELISA Aerospace Tana Moon

I'm thrilled to be working with MaxIQ.Space to help bring their programs to educators in the US and around the world. Their modular electronics allow students to create their own circuit boards suited to their own experiments, with lessons focusing on the UN Sustainable Development Goals, high altitude balloons, and student cubesats. They even have real launch opportunities... and a partnership that puts student payloads on the ISS. Wow. This is the best kind of space education... it's authentic hands-on science that increases student engagement, STEM skill development, and career readiness. Let me know if you might be interested in learning more. 🚀🛰️ https://maxiq.space "Space is hard, so we've developed our 'Pathway to Space' to ensure that everyone can get their payload to orbit within an academic year. Using our unique modular electronics, students design and build payloads, testing them at each point to ensure that their CubeSat will operate in orbit successfully." #careerreadiness #edtech #NGSS #overvieweffect #scienceeducation #spaceeconomy #spaceeducation #spaceexploration #spacephilosophy #spaceworkforce #STEMeducation #STEAMeducation #workforcedevelopment

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