Communications Specialist Kelley A. Redmon participated in an event called “Mission to Mars, What Will It Take?” Thursday, September 15, 2016, benefitting Space Center Houston’s Youth STEM Academies. This event held at NASA and River Oaks Country Club allowed Redmon to discuss the impact agriculture has on space exploration as well as provide a platform for the Cooperative Agricultural Research Center (CARC) scientists and Cooperative Extension Program (CEP agents to examine research and outreach possibilities. Redmon interacted with panelists and astronaut Ellen Ochoa, Director of the Johnson Space Center and first Latina female in outer space.

The event focused on developing pathways to reach, encourage and inspire underserved and underrepresented youth regarding educational opportunities and sustainability of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). As the panelists discussed filling technology- and science-based jobs of the future and making the STEM industry diverse, Ochoa spoke of living microorganisms on Mars. A focus on agriculture expands knowledge of in-space plant growth and the impact gardening will have on astronauts in space isolation.

Given Johnson Space Center and Space Center Houston’s enthusiasm to educate the underserved and underrepresented public, CAHS academicians, researchers and agents could collaborate on NASA projects.

Written by

Kelley Redmon

 

Kelley A. Redmon
Communications Specialist
karedmon@pvamu.edu
(936) 261-5009