Science Communication
Breaking Barriers in Science
Episode 6 in the “Finishing Science” Podcast
Do you enjoy Finishing Science? Crave something more? Find exclusive Bonus content via our Ko-fi page when you donate $3.
Aaron Shepard grew up interested in science, but feeling alienated from his Black community and the science community at the same time. He advocates for people from more backgrounds in science, whether you are Black, female, or from a farm. More diversity and inclusion broadens our ability to for a better science, with more people contributing from their varying experiences.
Meet Our Guest!
Aaron Shepard is a Robotics Research Assistant at Clemson University who has had the pleasure to work at NASA Langley three times as an In-space Assembly Robotics Intern. He is the Founder/CEO of Cogito, a company dedicated to inspiring young people through STEM outreach.
Shepard is passionate about helping young people and underrepresented students find their path in STEM subjects. He has given many presentations, including a TEDxTalk entitled Make America Space Again.
Where can you find Aaron?
📸 Instagram: SpaceCadetShep
🐤 Twitter: SpaceCadetShep
🕰️ Tiktok: SpaceCadetShep
What’s referenced in this episode:
- Read the article we mentioned: “Former NASA Astronaut Says Getting Stopped by Police as a Black Man Is Scarier Than Going to Space,” by Joelle Goldstein.
- Matthew Mahlin is an Aerospace Research Engineer at NASA Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia. His research is in carbon-carbon composites for vehicles and mechanisms for robotic systems used in in-space assembly.
- Joy Buolamwini did the research at MIT about AI being unable to detect her dark-skinned face. In college, she had to borrow her white roommate’s face to finish the AI homework assignment. While working in the MIT Media Lab, she work a white mask so AI would recognize her. You can learn more about her experiences in her article “When the Robot Doesn’t See Dark Skin.”
- Leland Melvin is an American engineer and retired NASA astronaut. He is most famously known as the Astronaut with two dogs. He played American football for the Detroit Lions as a Wide Receiver before working at NASA Langley. He flew twice on the Space Shuttle Atlantis as a mission specialist in the late 2000s. He has logged over 565 hours in space. He has four dogs, Roux, Zorro, Jake, and Scout. They are ambassadors for Pet Rescue.
Share your favorite quote!
Be sure to use the hashtag #FinishingScience!
