14 INNOVATION & TECH TODAY^ |^ 2020 YEAR-END ISSUE
DEPARTMENTS / DENT Files
Astronaut Cady Coleman
On Spacesuits, STEM, and
Inclusive Education
By Steve Broback
The National Science Foundation reports 80%
of jobs available in the coming years will require
math and science skills. Despite this need,
estimates say less than a third of high school
graduates test ready for higher education in
science, and less than half are considered
prepared for college-level math courses.Unequal access and outcomes compound this
shortfall. A 2013 report by the U.S. Census
Bureau found that although women make up
nearly half of the American workforce, they
represent only 26% of STEM workers. Similarly,
African Americans account for only 6% and
Hispanics for only 7% of professionals
employed in STEM-related jobs.I recently hosted an online fireside chat with
retired astronaut and Dent board member Dr.
Cady Coleman, who has
dedicated her time and
experience to help draw
women and minorities
into the sciences. In this
conversation, she
discussed the issues and
challenges surrounding
STEM education and the
opportunities for building
a brighter future for
students around the world.Cady is a pilot who holds
a bachelor’s degree in
chemistry and a doctoral
degree in polymer
sciences. She is best known for her two flights
for science-based missions aboard the space
shuttle Columbia and a six-month 2010-
stint on the International Space Station.As I mentioned in a
prior column for
Innovation & Tech Today,
the value of “non-
traditional” participants
cannot be overstated,
and there is strong
evidence that it is these
people who drive real
innovation. Cady
believes that it’s critical
that both institutions and
individuals stop and take
note of those “hidden figures” who may not
currently be factored into decisions made about
how an organization or educational institution
operates.Cady cites how cost-cutting measures were
made by NASA to eliminate small space suits in
the 1990s. This change effectively eliminated a
third of the female astronauts from being
considered for spacewalks on the International
Space Station. Fortunately, NASA has
committed to designing suits that will fit
everyone in the astronaut population so that the
upcoming generation of moon-walkers will be
more representative of the population.
Had NASA brought female astronauts and
other stakeholders into the conversation as the
decision was being made years ago, many more
young women worldwide might have been
inspired sooner. This year’s spacewalk by two
women on the ISS will create ripples for years to
come.
This example is one of many that taught her
the importance of “being involved in the
process” and “cheerfully showing up at meetings
I wasn’t invited to.” From her experience,
intentional exclusion has been less of a problem
than simply the lack of vision of decision-
makers to bring in all relevant stakeholders.
Given that, she believes people should feel
empowered to take an active role in being heard.
Cady is involved with two organizations that
she feels serve as good examples of proactive
inclusion. One is the MIT Media Lab’s Space
Exploration Initiative, including the Space
Enabled research group led by Dr. Danielle
Wood. This group aligns space technology to
support societal needs and makes a point of
pursuing input and leadership from non-
traditional participants. Another is Arizona
State University, where Cady serves as the
Global Explorer in Residence. ASU recently
launched the Research for Inclusive STEM
Education Center. ■