STEM in 30: Unexpected Careers in STEM - STEM in 30: Season 8, Episode 8

Summary

STEM Job or Not, hosted by Christopher Williams, explores the diverse world of STEM careers through a fun game show format. The episode highlights traditional STEM roles like astronauts and scientists, but also unexpected ones such as chefs, photographers, and seamstresses. Special guests like astronaut Randy Bresnik and NASA scientists share insights on their unique jobs, emphasizing the wide range of opportunities within STEM fields. The show aims to inspire viewers to pursue their passions, showing that STEM careers can be found in surprising places.

Takeaways

• 🚀 Astronauts are part of a diverse group with backgrounds such as pilots, engineers, medical doctors, and veterinarians.
• 🔬 Scientists encompass a wide range of jobs including astronomers, botanists, chemists, and paleontologists, all of which are considered STEM jobs.
• 👨‍🚀 Astronaut training involves learning various skills such as public speaking, operating space systems, orbital dynamics, and even basic maintenance tasks like plumbing in space.
• 👥 Thousands of people are involved in supporting an astronaut's journey to space, from rocket design and assembly to scientific experiments and mission control.
• 👗 The role of seamstresses in creating space suits is highlighted, emphasizing the importance of their precision and craftsmanship in protecting astronauts' lives.
• 🌌 The Neutral Buoyancy Lab is used to train astronauts for spacewalks, simulating the weightlessness of space within a large pool containing mockups of the International Space Station.
• 🍲 The Space Food Systems Laboratory develops and packages food for space missions, focusing on long shelf life, lightweight, and nutritional balance.
• 📸 Photography is an essential aspect of space exploration, with astronauts and NASA photographers capturing images to share the experience with the public.
• 🍓 A food chemistry experiment is presented to demonstrate how to make food spaceworthy by dehydrating strawberries, reducing weight and space required for storage.
• 👃 The unique STEM job of a 'Smeller' is introduced, where individuals test the odors of objects before they are sent into space to ensure a safe and comfortable environment for astronauts.
• 🌐 NASA offers a vast array of career opportunities beyond traditional STEM fields, including roles for writers, lawyers, artists, psychologists, and teachers, reflecting the multidisciplinary nature of space exploration.

Q & A

What is the main objective of the 'STEM Job or Not' game show?

The main objective of the 'STEM Job or Not' game show is to identify which careers are STEM jobs and provide insights into the diversity and unexpected nature of STEM careers.

Which careers were identified as STEM jobs in the game show?

Astronaut and scientist were identified as STEM jobs in the game show.

Who is Randy 'Komrade' Bresnik, and what are his qualifications?

Randy 'Komrade' Bresnik is a United States Marine F-18 pilot and NASA astronaut who flew on the space shuttle Atlantis, served on ISS Expedition 52/53, commanded Expedition 53, and has conducted five spacewalks, traveling over 6 million miles in space.

What types of training do astronauts undergo according to Randy 'Komrade' Bresnik?

Astronauts undergo training in public speaking, operating space systems and equipment, plumbing in space, orbital dynamics, flying spacecraft in zero gravity, learning different languages, and performing spacewalks.

What role do seamstresses play in the development of space suits?

Seamstresses are crucial in the development of space suits, ensuring the suits are strong enough to withstand space conditions while being flexible for astronaut tasks. Their work is featured in the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum's new Destination Moon Gallery.

What is the Neutral Buoyancy Lab, and how is it used for astronaut training?

The Neutral Buoyancy Lab is an enormous pool used to simulate microgravity for astronaut training. It contains full-scale mockups of the International Space Station and is used for practicing spacewalks and handling equipment.

How do astronauts achieve neutral buoyancy in the Neutral Buoyancy Lab?

Astronauts achieve neutral buoyancy by adjusting weights on their spacesuits to balance their mass and remain suspended in the water without floating or sinking, simulating a microgravity environment.

What are the challenges and solutions in preparing food for space missions?

Challenges include ensuring food has a long shelf life, is lightweight, and can be stored without refrigeration. Solutions involve freeze-drying food, packaging it in lightweight materials, and developing recipes that remain nutritious and appetizing over long periods.

How does the space suit's flexibility and durability affect astronauts' tasks on missions?

The space suit's flexibility and durability allow astronauts to perform various tasks, including maintenance, repairs, and emergency procedures, in challenging environments like the lunar South Pole, which has extreme temperatures and long-duration missions.

What unexpected STEM jobs are highlighted in the video script?

Unexpected STEM jobs highlighted include seamstresses, photographers, chefs, scuba divers, and smellers, demonstrating the diverse range of careers that contribute to space missions.