A NASA astronaut who has flown on four space shuttle missions will be the featured speaker at the ‘Women in Science: No Limits’ lecture series on June 11, 2003, at Flint Center in Cupertino, Calif.
Dr. Ellen Ochoa will discuss “NASA and Space: An Astronaut’s Perspective” at the 7 p.m. talk, which is free and open to the public. Adults, students and young people of all ages are welcome.

“The purpose of the lecture series is to inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers and I can think of no better role model than Ellen Ochoa to convey the excitement of space and science to a broad audience,” said NASA Ames Research Center Director G. Scott Hubbard.

Santa Clara County Supervisor Blanca Alvarado will moderate the lecture. Following the lecture, Ochoa will entertain questions from the audience.

During her presentation, Ochoa will show videos of recent shuttle missions into space and explore the challenges and rewards of being a NASA astronaut. An astronaut since 1991, Ochoa has logged over 978 hours in space. She was a mission specialist on STS-56 (1993), served as the payload commander on STS-66 (1994) and served as a mission specialist and flight engineer on STS-96 (1999) and STS-110 (2002).

On STS-110, Ochoa was one of the astronauts who operated the International Space Station’s robotic arm, helping to install a part on the space station and to maneuver crew members during three of the mission’s four spacewalks. Ochoa is a graduate of Stanford University (1985) with a doctorate in electrical engineering.

NASA, De Anza College and the National Center for Women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (WiSTEM) co-sponsor the series.

To reach Flint Center, which is located on the campus of De Anza College in Cupertino, take the Stevens Creek Blvd. exit off Highway 85. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. Please bring eight quarters for parking. For further information about the series, call 408/864-8816 or visit:

www.flintcenter.com
or
http://amesnews.arc.nasa.gov

NASA Ames Research Center (http://www.arc.nasa.gov) is located at Moffett Field, Calif., in the heart of the Silicon Valley. NASA Ames specializes in research focused on creating new knowledge and new technologies in nanotechnology, information technology, biotechnology, astrobiology (the search for life in the universe), space science, astronautics and aeronautics.

WiSTEM (http://www.wistem.org) is a non-profit organization established in 2001 to advance the roles of women and girls in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Membership currently consists of seven national women’s organizations.

De Anza College (http://www.deanza.edu), founded in 1967, is a community college serving approximately 24,000 students per year. It offers 60 associate degree programs and 125 certificate programs.