#WomenInSTEM

We asked two Keppler #STEM stars to help us celebrate the?International Day of Women & Girls in Science.

Dr. Moogega Cooper?(“Dr. Moo”) was the NASA Engineer for Planetary Protection on the Mars Rover Perseverance Mission. She is often called a real-life Guardian of the Galaxy (check out the video?here?to find out why). She’s responsible for making sure missions like Perseverance don’t wind up contaminating other planets,?and?she is an extremely active STEM advocate, guest lecturer and educator—possibly you’ve seen her on?Because Space?and?Bill Nye Saves the World.

NASA veteran?Ginger Kerrick?was the first Latina Flight Director (that person in charge of Mission Control here on earth when astronauts are up in space). After ten years of hoping?not?to hear the words “Houston, we have a problem,” she rose up through the ranks of NASA senior leadership to work on NASA’s remarkable accomplishments over the past two decades—the Space Shuttle program, the International Space Station and the partnership with SpaceX and other private industry partners. Watch Now!

First Question!??What Inspired Your Own STEM Journey?

Dr. Moo:??We used to go to the public library every week… I picked the first [video] of Carl Sagan’s?Cosmos,?and that really turned a light bulb on for me.”

Ginger Kerrick:??Growing up in El Paso, Texas, my dad would take me to the library. I was just 5, but I found this astronomy book with a section on space travel, and I checked that book out again and again. From that point on, I wanted to be an astronaut—and that idea stuck. I did whatever I could to make my way to NASA.

So, in other words, #Libraries are?the?Portal to Other Galaxies—and to Careers in STEM?

Dr. Moo & Ginger Kerrick:??Yes!

Words of Wisdom to Share for Women and Girls Considering a Career in Science?

Dr. Moo:??I am excited to be living in a time where women are becoming more prominently highlighted for their contributions: figures once hidden in the recent past such as Mary Jackson,?Dorothy Vaughan, and?Katherine Johnson, and contemporary role models such as Tu Youyou,?Mae Jemison, and Frances Arnold.

But while we’ve made great strides, we still have so much more work to do! We have to actively foster the minds and confidence of the girls who have yet to find the spark to ignite the start of their STE(A)M journey—and I always like to add the “A” in STEAM, representing the Arts—because that ability to think creatively, express your ideas and communicate well is so important.

On the other end of the spectrum, it’s important to create an inclusive culture for these girls when they grow up to be women in the professional workplace. Observing the progress thus far and the rising generation of young scientists gives me hope that the future of STE(A)M will be brighter than ever.

Ginger Kerrick:??I would say to anyone considering a career in STEM—don’t limit?yourself.?Sometimes we become our own biggest critics. But why would you let anyone else limit what you can do? If you’re interested in something, go do it. You don’t need anybody’s permission or validation—you just decide that this is what makes you happy and you go out and give it a try—what’s the worst that can happen?

The other thing I would say: If you can’t change your circumstances, change your mindset. I grew up wanting to be an astronaut more than anything—and I did everything in my power to make that happen. When it wasn’t possible, I was devastated—but I managed to dust myself off and embrace the opportunity to be part of supporting space exploration in a broader way—as a Flight Director responsible for keeping astronauts safe—and in a long career at NASA working on incredible projects. And that’s what careers in science and STEM are all about—embracing and being part of something much bigger than our selves.

To learn more about either of these amazing STEM star speakers (or to invite them to speak to your own aspiring STEM stars), visit www.kepplerspeakers.com?

Click here to learn more about Ginger Kerrick and Dr. Moo Cooper

Happy International Day of Women and Girls in Science! #Womeninstem #Girlsinstem #libraries