2018 Empowerment: Making and shaping History - Women in Space Science

Over the decades, women have made significant contributions to space science. Their work will be acknowledged and celebrated in a series of events March 16 – March 24, 2018. The series is kicked off with a presentation by Pam Platt, Chief Storyteller for The Exomedicine Institute, an organization performing cutting edge medical experiments in space. Her role at the institute is to communicate how some of the next medical breakthroughs may not be on the planet Earth.

The extensive impact women have had in space exploration since the start of the “space race” sixty years ago is featured in educational television and movie programs at the planetarium March 22-23.

The series ends with a presentation on March 24 by Sophia Mitchell (duPont Manual MST Alum, 2010) and NASA/JPL Engineer. She will share about her journey to become an aerospace engineer and some of her accomplishments at NASA, such as driving the Mars Rover. She will also highlight other women at NASA who are currently making history and shaping the future of space exploration.

March 16 (Strickler Hall, Room 102)
7:00 – 7:45 PM: Louisville Astronomical Society Event
Presentation by Pam Platt, Chief Storyteller, The Exomedicine Institute

March 22 (Gheens Science Hall and Rauch Planetarium)
6:00: Reception
6:30: Screening: Hidden Figures

March 23 (Gheens Science Hall and Rauch Planetarium)
6:30 – 7:25: Screening: “Women in Space” (PBS series, Makers)
7:40 – 8:30: Screening: “Sisters of the Sun” (Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey)
8:30 – 8:50: Facilitated discussion/Q&A

March 24 (Gheens Science Hall and Rauch Planetarium)
4:00 – 5:00: Shaping History: Women in Space Science
Sophia Mitchell, Aerospace Engineer

All events are free and open to the public. Preregistration for events at the planetarium is required – details on how to register will be published prior to the events.

Free parking in the Visitor Lot and Red Lot by the School of Music is available first-come, first served. The Speed Art Museum Garage is also available for a nominal hourly fee.

Sponsored by:
University of Louisville Women’s and Gender Studies
University of Louisville Women’s Center
University of Louisville Gheens Science Hall and Rauch Planetarium
American Association of University Women, University of Louisville Chapter
Society of Women in Physics and Astronomy, University of Louisville Chapter
University of Louisville Cultural Center
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.-Beta Epsilon Chapter
Louisville Astronomical Society