Dr. Ellen Ochoa: First Latina in Space
Image of Ellen Ochoa from Wikipedia
During Women’s History Month, we are celebrating the women that paved the way and the women making history now.
This week we honor, Dr. Ellen Ochoa, the first Latina in space that paved the way for so many of us. Born in 1958 in California, Ellen went on to attend San Diego State and received her bachelor’s degree in physics, and master’s and PhD in electrical engineering from Stanford University. She joined NASA in 1988 as a research engineer and soon moved to the Johnson Space Center where she was selected as an astronaut. Dr. Ochoa was the first Hispanic woman to go to space on a nine-day mission abroad the space shuttle Discovery in 1993. She successfully went to space 4 times, logging 1,000 hours in orbit. Dr. Ellen Ochoa became the 11thdirector of the Johnson Space Center, she was the first Hispanic Director and second female director. She has received NASA’s highest awards, the Distinguished Service Medal, and the Presidential Distinguished Rank Award.
Dr. Ellen Ochoa is a Lil’ Libros author and her book, We Are All Scientists, is the first of her STEAM series. Her strength and tenacity continue to inspire future generations of Latina women to pursue careers in the field of science. She is an inspirational figure in our community, and we celebrate her today and every day.
Take a trip around our solar system with Ellen Ochoa, the first Latina in the world to travel into space. This book will introduce little ones to the Sun, Moon and planets in English and Spanish.
Scientists, astronomers, and chemists, oh my! Children are full of curiosity, making us all natural-born scientists. Whether it's learning physics by juggling or grasping biology through observing a next of fledgelings, join Dr. Ellen Ochoa as we explore how our world is our very own scientific playground.
Let's take a trip to outer space as we bridge two languages to explore professions, animals, planets, and so much more. Written by a Latina space engineer, this book will help encourage and support little ones in their understanding of the universe.
