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In celebration of National Aviation History Month, experts from NASA\u2019s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, spoke with middle school students during a recent event hosted by NASA\u2019s California Office of STEM Engagement. NASA Armstrong employees shared stories about the center\u2019s role in aviation history and current research projects while also talking about their own paths to working at NASA. During the virtual and in-person event on Nov. 6, Southern California middle school students were presented with the importance of pursing their passions, the value of internships and exploring diverse career opportunities within NASA.<\/p>\n
Kicking off the event, NASA Armstrong Center Director Brad Flick talked about his journey from a small town to becoming a NASA engineer. \u201cI never, in my wildest dreams thought I had the opportunity to work for someplace like NASA,\u201d Flick said. \u201cI\u2019ve been here for almost 40 years and at a little part of NASA that most people don\u2019t know exists, right? Which is really cool that we\u2019re tying this to aviation history month, because this is one of the places where aviation history has been made, is being made and will continue to be made.\u201d Flick encouraged students to participate in STEAM programs that integrate the arts with science, technology, engineering, and math and stressed the importance of asking questions and being curious.<\/p>\n
A panel of four NASA Armstrong experts \u2013 Laurie Grindle, deputy center director; Troy Asher, director of Flight Operations; Nicki Reid, lead operations engineer; and Julio Trevino, operations engineer \u2013 shared their stories about their career paths and experiences at NASA.<\/p>\n
Reid talked about her initial struggle with math and science and how it didn\u2019t stop her from obtaining an engineering degree and applying for internships, which is what ultimately opened the door for her at NASA. \u201cIt was a really cool experience because it gives you a chance to decide whether or not you like the job and I got to learn from different people every summer,\u201d Reid said.<\/p>\n
Grindle\u2019s dream as a kid was to become an astronaut and although did not happen for her, her interest in aviation and space continued, which ultimately led to working at NASA as a student. \u201cI had a lot of different opportunities working in different roles. I had fun while doing it and did a job I really enjoyed that made it not like work,\u201d Grindle said.<\/p>\n
For Asher, determination and commitment helped him become a pilot. \u201cI remember sitting in the back seat of the airplane, looking out and thinking, \u2018I love this. I\u2019m doing this forever,\u2019\u201d Asher said. \u201cBut it took me five or six years before I had that moment, and it was the commitment the kept me going.\u201d<\/p>\n
Stories and experiences like these are important for students to hear to inspire them in their own journeys into adulthood. Students also received tours around the center with stops in the model lab, life support office and control room.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis was a wonderful opportunity for my seventh-grade students to learn more about careers and career paths in NASA,\u201d said Shauna Tinich, Tropico Middle School teacher. \u201cThey were surprised that people other than astronauts and rocket scientists work for NASA, and this excited many of my students.\u201d<\/p>\n
NASA\u2019s California Office of STEM Engagement collaborates with the regional STEM community to provide opportunities like these, with the support of Next Gen STEM, to help students in sparking their interest and inspiring the next generation of leaders. To learn more, visit www.nasa.gov\/learning-resources.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n