NASA Spacesuit Coming To STEM Fair Saturday
More than 1,500 attendees are anticipated for the 3rd Annual San Marcos STEM Fair on February 13, 2016 in the San Marcos High School Cafeteria. The event brings interactive exhibits from area students, businesses, and educational institutes into the hands of attendees. This year Su Curley, Orion Crew Survival Systems.
Systems Engineering & Integration from NASA will be bringing a full-size spacesuit, also called EMU (Extravehicular Mobility Unit).
Curley will be presenting a brief history of U.S. spacesuits as well as talk in detail ab out the new EMU. Those in attendance will hear about the la test in spacesuit design and development currently underway at NASA; there will be additional equipment pieces from the suit for guests to inspect and feel.
About the presenter: Su Curley graduated from the University of Akron in 1993 with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Electrical Engineering. Having begun her career at NASA as a cooperative education student, Su has worked for the space agency for 24 years spanning a variety of disciplines. Her duties have involved design and development of: facility and space craft power distribution hardware and systems (including point-of-use power hardware flying aboard the International Space Station), facility and space craft life support hardware and systems (including Orion crew module air re vitalization hardware flying as a payload aboard Space Station), EVA exploration spacesuit hardware, and, currently, Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle Orion crew survival suits and hardware.
The STEM Fair is hosted by SOAR (Seeking Opportunities, Achieving Results). It is free and open to the public. Children of all ages are encouraged to participate in the interactive displays. The focus is on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.
Microsoft, AT&T, and Texas State University STEM programs will also be part of interactive exhibits. Each campus of San Marcos CISD will be represented featuring STEM projects at their schools, including the San Marcos High School robotics class – always a crowd favorite.
About SOAR Initiative
SOAR is a collaboration of the San Marcos Educational Partners including Texas State University, San Marcos Consolidated Independent School District, the San Marcos Education Foundation, the San Marcos Area Chamber of Commerce, United Way of Hays County, Austin Community College, Gary Job Corp, the City of San Marcos, San Marcos Academy, and other concerned entities. SOAR works together to encourage further collaboration among all educational partners in San Marcos. Current SOAR initiatives include efforts to increase school readiness in early childhood, eliminating disparities in the education system by increasing college access and preparedness, and addressing issues in work force development. For more information on how you can become a part of SOAR or participate in the San Mar cos STEM Fair, contact the San Marcos Area Chamber of Commerce at 512.393.5900.
