Peggy Whitson and NASA Pilot John Shoffner inspire STEM

To celebrate National Education Week, Peggy Whitson, former NASA chief astronaut and active Axiom commander, and John Shoffner, Ax-2 pilot, connected virtually with a room full of 180 girls from Wide-eyed eighth grader from Cranbrook Middle School in Michigan.

Whitson, who spends more time in space than any American or woman in history, has inspired the next generation of dreamers with her story of rising through the ranks in the male-dominated aerospace industry. Throughout her career, she has served in a variety of positions, including Chief of the NASA Astronaut Office, two-time Commander of the International Space Station, Chair of the NASA Astronaut Selection Committee, Chief of NASA’s Operations Branch and deputy chief of the Medical Sciences Division and the Astronaut Office, as well as co-chair of the U.S.-Russian Mission Science Working Group.

“Whitson’s pioneering journey not only breaks barriers, but also instills in young minds the importance of resilience, determination and leadership,” said Ashlie Smith, STEM teacher and event host. “By having Whitson as a role model, young girls are able to envision a future where their aspirations are limitless, and they are equipped to challenge and overcome any obstacles on their path to success.”

As Whitson shared her personal journey, the room filled with optimism. The message was simple: if you can see her, you can be her.

“There are a lot of opportunities right now, whether you want to become an astronaut or just work in space,” Whitson explained. “Even fashion design.”

Whitson was joined by Ax-2 pilot John Shoffner, who encouraged the students to follow their calling. Shoffner had dreamed of going to space since he was eight years old. His small-town upbringing kept him from believing he could one day become an astronaut. Although he became a successful entrepreneur, race car driver, pilot, and skydiver, that eight-year-old voice in his head never went away. He was born to be an astronaut. In May 2023, Shoffner traveled to space. Today, his mission is to encourage young minds to relentlessly pursue their goal.

Together, Whitson and Shoffner shared highlights of their Ax-2 mission, highlighted the many careers that exist within the space industry (besides being an astronaut!), and celebrated the bright future of students as the next leaders of the space program. .

“Inviting special guests, such as astronauts Peggy Whitson and John Shoffner, into my classroom holds immense value by providing real-world perspectives, inspiring students with tangible success stories, and providing unique opportunities for engagement interactive,” Smith said. “These accomplished individuals bring expertise that goes beyond the traditional curriculum, bridging the gap between theory and practical application. The interactive nature of guest sessions promotes a dynamic learning environment, making the educational experience more memorable and relevant.

The session ended with a question and answer session, big smiles and bigger aspirations.

With his mission behind him and his ambition to support the growth of STEAM education in his home state of Kentucky, astronaut Shoffner launched the Perseids Foundation. Its mission is to create a world-class STEAM program for underserved communities in partnership with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, International Space Station National Laboratory, Axiom Space, Limitless Space Institute, Crayola Experience, and more. For more information, visit https://perseidfoundation.org