NASA Space Science Student Ambassadors Program

The NASA Space Science Student Ambassadors Program engages university students, both undergraduate and graduate students, to conduct activities that are designed to encourage undergraduate and graduate students to participate in NASA’s Space Science educational activities and to help generate excitement about NASA scientific discoveries in space science (astrophysics, planetary science and heliophysics).

Students engage new audiences, partners, and members of underserved and/or underrepresented populations, including audiences with special needs. The philosophy underlying the intent of the program is as follows:

• Opportunities for youth and adults to make their own observations of the universe: These are intended to encompass a wide range of efforts, including naked-eye observations, in-person and on-line telescopic observations, and activities utilizing NASA data or facilities. The intent is to instill a personal sense of wonder and discovery, convey observation and exploration as an ongoing human endeavor, and/or connect ground-based and space-based astronomy for the public, as appropriate.
• Increasing awareness of space science: This includes strengthening scientific literacy in key science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) topics central to the sub-disciplines of astrophysics, planetary science, and heliophysics, with attention to findings from educational research concerning misconceptions and their impact on learning. The intent is to convey the human and multidisciplinary aspects of science, connecting history, culture, and science and highlighting the relationship between technology and discovery.

This program is an extension of the NASA International Year of Astronomy Student Ambassador (NIYSA) Program. NASA’s International Year of Astronomy website provides access to educational resources and serves as a guidance to the sort of activities students can get involved in. Applicants should also review NASA’s Space Science Strategy prior to completing an application.

The following students were selected as NASA Space Science Student Ambassadors.

Adame, Anthony Arizona State University Major: Electronics Engineering Technology	Baker, Bryant Oregon Institute of Technology Major: Electronic Engineering	Burchett, Joseph University of Louisville
Burkhart, Blakesley University of Wisconsin, Madison	Campbell, Ashley University of Alabama, Huntsville Major: Physics	Cardenas, Christine Wayne State University
Carreras, Eric University of Illinois Major: Aerospace Engineering	Connolly, David Boise State University	Etmund, Cassandra University of Nebraska, Lincoln Major: Environmental Studies
Flateau, Davin University of Cincinnati Major: Astrophysics	Francis, Sarah University of Louisiana at Lafayette	Hanley, Kevin University of New Hampshire
Hannahoe, Ryan Montana State University Major: Elementary Education	Johnson, Daniel Augustana College	Kern, Kevin Coastal Carolina University Major: Applied Physics
Knott, Ryan University of Washington Major: Aeronautic and Astronautic Engineering	Laird, Jennika Purdue University	LaPierre, Cris University of Utah
Lodge-Scharff, Savannah Colby College	Lohmeyer, Whitney North Carolia State University	Lum, Michael University of Hawaii
Mankowski, Trent University of Wyoming	Mantych, Caitlin University of Minnesota, Twin Cities	Mayeur, Paul Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Major: Astrobiology
Milan, Laura Virginia Polytechnic Institute Major: Biochemistry	O'Dea, Eric University of North Dakota Major: Space Studies	Phillips, Kyle West Virginia University Major: Aerospace Engineering
Proctor, Damani Portland Community College Major: Microelectronics	Queen, Christopher Tennessee Technological University	Rean, David Prairie View A&M University Major: Electrical Engineering Technology
Rodriguez, Abigail University of Puerto Rico Major: Civil  Engineering	Runge, William Georgia Tech	Santos, Stephany University of Connecticut
Sarper, Meral University of Colorado Major: Mechanical Engineering	Silva, Sathya Massachusetts Institute of Technology	Smith, Reuel University of Maryland, College Park
Spencer, Vanessa University of Alaska, Fairbanks Major: Physics	Spencer, Lauren University of California, Santa Barbara Major: Chemistry	Stephens, Kyle University of Arizona Major: Optical Sciences & Engineering
Sudholt, Emily University of Missouri, St. Louis Major: Physics and Astronomy	Tran, Eric Drexel University Major: Mechanical Engineer	Waters, Timothy University of Nevada, Las Vegas Major: Astrophysics
Zoldak, Kimberly University of Arkansas, Fayetteville Major: Space and Planetary Science