Dr Mary Ellen Weber’s 10 years as an astronaut saw her visit the International Space Station and was instrumental in delivering a communication satellite to orbit.
She addressed pupils at East Hills Girls Technology High School as part of an initiative run by the Powerhouse Museum to increase STEM education opportunities.
Dr Weber spoke to the students about her career, detailing her time and achievements at NASA.
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Aside from her career at NASA, Weber also discussed the exciting new landscape of commercial space travel before answering questions from the students at the end of the session.
Speaking about the event, Sophie Poisel, head of the Lang Walker Family Academy at the Powerhouse Museum, said, “The Lang Walker Family Academy was excited to host Dr Mary Ellen Weber as part of our Powerhouse: Future Space program. Since the program launched in April 2022, high school students in Western Sydney and regional NSW have benefitted from unique opportunities to engage with industry experts and the International Space Station through on-the-ground hands-on experiences and virtual trials.”
It is hoped that the Powerhouse: Future Space program will inspire high school students to pursue careers in the STEM fields.
Australia’s space industry is undergoing a phase of significant expansion, with increasingly successful domestic space companies developing space products and services here in Australia.
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The nationwide skills shortage is affecting the industry; however, with concerns that this shortage will hinder the growth of the sector.
The issue is compounded in the space industry by large gender imbalances among STEM graduates. In Australia, only 16 per cent of STEM graduates are women.
Initiatives such as the Powerhouse: Future Space program are hoped to break down the barriers and biases that steer women away from the STEM fields.
Liam McAneny
Liam McAneny is a journalist who has written and edited for his University International Relations journal. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (International Relations) and Bachelor of Laws from the University of Wollongong in 2021. He joined Momentum Media in 2022 and currently writes for SpaceConnect and Australian Aviation. Liam has a keen interest in geopolitics and international relations as well as astronomy.
Send Liam an email at: [email protected]
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