T aylor Richardson is only in eighth grade. But she already knows what she wants to do with her life. She hopes to be one of the first people to visit Mars! The 14-year-old from Jacksonville, Florida, may have the chance to do just that. NASA plans to send astronauts to the Red Planet sometime in the 2030s. By then, kids Taylor’s age will be old enough to make the trip. Taylor first set her sights on space at age 5 after reading an autobiography of astronaut Mae Jemison. In 1992, Jemison orbited Earth aboard the space shuttle Endeavour . She was the first African-American woman in space. “She looked just like me!” says Taylor. “I felt so inspired by what she achieved.” Since then, Taylor has been pursuing science, technology, engineering, and math— fields collectively known as engineering, and math— fields collectively known as T aylor Richardson is only in eighth grade. But she already knows what she wants to do with her life. She hopes to be one of the first people to visit Mars! The 14-year-old from Jacksonville, Florida, may have the chance to do just that. NASA plans to send astronauts to the Red Planet sometime in the 2030s. By then, kids Taylor’s age will be old enough to make the trip. Taylor first set her sights on space at age 5 after reading an autobiography of astronaut Mae Jemison. In 1992, Jemison orbited Earth aboard the space shuttle Endeavour . She was the first African-American woman in space. “She looked just like me!” says Taylor. “I felt so inspired by what she achieved.” Since then, Taylor has been pursuing science, technology,
STEM. She’s also working to empower other young people to shoot for the stars. STEM Power School wasn’t always easy for Taylor. She has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This condition sometimes makes it hard for her to concentrate. Taylor was also teased for her love of science. But the more she explored STEM, the more confident she became. When Taylor was 9 years old, she wanted to go to Space Camp at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama. But her family her to concentrate. Taylor was also teased for her love of science. But the more she explored STEM, the more confident she became. When Taylor was 9 years old, she wanted to go to Space Camp at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama. But her family couldn’t afford to send her. So Taylor started an online campaign to raise the money. Inspired by her story, friends, family, and strangers donated enough to cover her tuition. At Space Camp, Taylor got campaign to raise the money. Inspired by her story, friends, family, and strangers donated enough to cover her tuition. At Space Camp, Taylor got the chance to train like a real astronaut. She participated the chance to train like a real astronaut. She participated STEM. She’s also working to empower other young people to shoot for the stars. STEM Power School wasn’t always easy for Taylor. She has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This condition sometimes makes it hard for couldn’t afford to send her. So Taylor started an online
NASA picks 8 to 15 adults for each astronaut class. Just 12 people were chosen for the 2017 class out of 18,000 applicants. Here’s what it takes to go to space. for the 2017 class out of 18,000 applicants. Here’s what it takes to go to space. The Right Stuff? NASA picks 8 to 15 adults for each astronaut class. Just 12 people were chosen The Right Stuff?
EDUCATION: Applicants need a college degree in a STEM field and three years of work experience. EDUCATION: Applicants need a college degree in a STEM field and three years of work experience.
FITNESS: An astronaut must be strong enough to wear a spacesuit that weighs 300 pounds. FITNESS: An astronaut must be strong enough to wear a spacesuit that weighs 300 pounds.
Think: What are other qualities that might be useful for an astronaut? Think: What are other qualities that might be useful for an astronaut? DEDICATION: Astronaut training takes four years total, including two years for a specific mission. DEDICATION: Astronaut training takes four years total, including two years for a specific mission.
SS08_MAYJUNE18_P10-13_SPACEGIRL VF.indd 11 3/19/18 10:28 AM Teacher: Use these questions to spark a conversation after reading this portion of the article. 1. What is the “Red Planet” that the article refers to? 2. What were some obstacles that Taylor faced in her pursuit of wanting to be an astronaut? How did she overcome them? 3. Taylor looked up to astronaut Mae Jemison. Who is someone you admire and are inspired by? SS08_MAYJUNE18_P10-13_SPACEGIRL VF.indd 11
3/19/18 10:28 AM
Session 9 21
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