SSAI In The News

By Dr. Agnes Conaty, PhD

A rainy Wednesday did not dampen the spirits of the organizers and participants of the “Girls, Gigabytes, and Gadgets (3G),” a project of the National Organization of Black Elected Legislative (NOBEL) Women to strengthen and support black young women in science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics (STEAM). The event, conducted by Dr. Trena Ferrell, PhD, NASA Earth Science Education Lead, was held at the Bellagio Ballroom Section 1 of MGM National Harbor, Oxon Hill, MD on October 5, 2022, 7:30 AM to 10:45 AM.

The NASA all-female scientists/educators consisted of SSAI’s GLOBE Observer Deputy Coordinator Kristen Weaver and Science Lead Agnes Conaty, who led a table each with activities on GLOBE’s cloud opacity, land cover with Legos, Landsat image and land cover photo match, tree height measurement using a clinometer, and finding landmarks using a huge Landsat printout mat. Other scientists/educators from SSAI and Morgan State University led activities on ocean biology/ocean color for GMAO/IceSat, and PACE. 

The event started with a video of NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, an introduction by Dr. Ferrell, table activity rotations for 16 participants in small groups, concluding remarks, an audience reaction from a neuroscientist, and distribution of NASA swag by Dr. Ferrell.

The event was one of the week-long activities of the 37th Annual Legislative Conference of NOBEL Women at MGM National Harbor.