Johnson's Women of Engineering Group Reaches Nearly 300 High School Girls

by Rebecca Wickes | 2023-05-23

NASA engineers with students at Brownsville ISD. Credit: NASA/Brownsville ISD — *NASA engineers with students at Brownsville Independent School District (ISD). Credit: NASA/Brownsville ISD*

NASA engineers at Johnson Space Center in Houston encouraged female students to pursue careers in science and technology through Girls in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) outreach events around Texas. The group visited with nearly 300 students from Brownsville and Point Isabel Independent School District.

Ten engineers from Johnson engineering divisions including Aeroscience and Flight Mechanics, Structural Engineering, and Propulsion and Power, traveled to the schools to engage with students who come from traditionally underrepresented populations in STEM fields.

“It is important that every future engineer or scientist gets the opportunity to see and interact with NASA women engineers because representation matters,” said Shirley Holland-Hunt, assistant Aeroscience and Flight Mechanics Division chief at Johnson. “These girls are our future leaders, and it is important that they realize even if they are a first-generation high school or college graduate, there is a path to achieve their dreams; with hard work and perseverance, anything is possible.”

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*Female students gathered after NASA’s presentation at Brownsville ISD. Credit: Brownsville ISD*

During the events, the students met with the engineers and learned about their technical backgrounds, journeys to NASA, and how current roles are helping to advance humanity farther into the cosmos.

After the presentations, engaging question and answer sessions included discussions on how NASA is partnering with private industry, NASA’s impact on environmental protection, and the experience of being a woman working in engineering today.

This was the second year that the group has performed this outreach initiative. Due to the overwhelmingly positive impact, the groups were invited back this year for the second time and plan on returning next year to continue inspiring young generations.

The 2023 JSC Women of Engineering group:

· Shirley Holland-Hunt – Aeroscience and Flight Mechanics

· Thanh Le – Aeroscience and Flight Mechanics

· Erin Shimoda – Aeroscience and Flight Mechanics

· Cinnamon Wright – Aeroscience and Flight Mechanics

· Sarah Luna – Structural Engineering

· Hannah Bradley – Structural Engineering

· Sandy Ruttle – Propulsion and Power

· Ivette Malave – Structural Engineering (Jacobs)

· Dhruvi Narielwala – Structural Engineering (Jacobs)

· Celest Villagran – Structural Engineering (Jacobs)