Connecting with NASA's Earliest Fans Through Speakers Bureau

With the spread of COVID-19 in communities around the country, one insidious effect has been how the virus has preyed on the mental health of Americans. Especially with the elder population, the bleakness of prolonged isolation and heightened risks for those living in senior living facilities is undisputed, leaving the ones who love them often feeling powerless to help.

For Chief of the Exploration Mission Planning Office Nujoud Merancy, whose sister works for a company that runs senior living centers, it was a call to action.

“We’ve seen it in the news,” Merancy noted. “But, at the same time, I have been doing all these virtual outreach events for schools and youth clubs since they have moved to online learning and virtual events. So, I just asked [my sister] if she thought talks like these would be something the seniors might like as well.”

Images courtesy of Regent Court.

The answer was a resounding yes, and the poignant moments have snowballed from there with additional coordination through the Speakers Bureau, part of NASA Johnson Space Center’s External Relations Office, and speakers Merancy recruited from her organization, the Exploration Integration and Science Directorate. She and fellow speakers Eileen Stansbury and Cindy Evans brainstormed the first set of topics to share, which would be followed by an interactive question-and-answer session after each presentation. And, like any virtual event during these pandemic times, the legwork does not differ much, but the payoff is enormous and heartwarming.

“The communities advertised the series well ahead of time, and we set up a recurring biweekly time to make it easy across multiple time zones,” Merancy said. “There were quite a few centers that called in from common areas with many residents, and some standalone devices from some in isolation. In general, the speakers are just using existing public outreach material since we have so much available already.”

Some senior centers decorated for the virtual events, making them more festive. After Merancy went through a 20-minute slideshow, she answered questions relayed through the chat box.

“They were all very engaged and enjoyable,” Merancy said of the questions. “So, in general, it had really good enthusiasm. I particularly enjoyed the pill minder in their #NASAMoonKit!”

After the first presentation, she received feedback that a retired gentleman from the Air Force in a memory-care unit paid particular attention to the briefing. “The understanding is that people with memory loss are more engaged on topics from their past,” Merancy said. “So that was pretty cool to hear it may have reached someone in a way we didn’t expect.”

It may not be altogether too surprising, as the residents in senior centers and assisted living facilities spent their formative years in a time when NASA was changing not only the world — but worlds as we knew them. Memories fade and some disappear, but who can forget the moment when man walked on the Moon?

“The Silver Speakers events have been some of the most rewarding,” said Rose Pendley, communications specialist and Speakers Bureau coordinator. “I always say the best part about my job is hearing the feedback from people who attend our speaking engagements, and the Silver Speakers events have taken that to the next level. Not only are these virtual events allowing NASA to reach new audiences, we’re reaching new audiences within the facilities as well. At a time where everyone — particularly in assisted living and memory-care facilities — is extremely isolated, it’s amazing to hear that our speakers are able to add to the day of residents who might otherwise remain isolated.”

For Pendley, the outreach being conducting on behalf of NASA’s earliest fans is deeply personal, as her own grandfather first entered a care facility at the beginning of the pandemic, though he has since passed away. “It feels great to know that we’re able to bring something special to care communities during this time.”

Images courtesy of Regent Court.

Onward … and Beyond

Even that day when we can all release our collective breaths once this dark chapter in the nation’s history is well and truly over, there will always be a hunger for knowledge, inspiration — and yes, even reminiscing — and NASA can help foster the connection.

NASA team members make the best ambassadors for the agency, and each of us can make a difference, virtually or in person, through Speakers Bureau.

“It is easy to do, and as long as there are more volunteers with topics, I think everyone would be happy to keep it going,” Merancy said. “They are relatively easy to set up and just involve the NASA speaker calling into the virtual meeting and the senior center staff take care of getting the residents connected.”

Sure, it’s but one small step — but one of humankind’s greatest achievements began that way.

If you are interested in joining the Speakers Bureau, submit a profile here to get started: https://speakers.grc.nasa.gov/speaker/index.cfm