@vp

One of our priorities for space is investing in the next generation of STEM leaders. Investing in STEM education is critical to continuing our leadership and preparing the nation’s STEM workforce to fuel the economy of the future. In Oakland at the Chabot Space & Science Center, I met Sala Ba. Sala is a sophomore studying mechanical engineering at Stanford University. She grew up in Northern Virginia with her parents and older sister. At Stanford, Sala serves as a coordinator for Lab 064, a community maker-space in the Electrical Engineering department. As a coordinator, Sala trains students on maker-space equipment, hosts workshops where attendees can learn to put together 3D printers, and guides students on mechanical and electrical engineering projects by connecting them with resources in the department. Sala told me that she believes everyone is capable of understanding STEM topics and is passionate about taking the time to share any knowledge or skills that she comes across. It’s students like Sala who excite me about our future. As Chair of the National Space Council, I am working with commercial space entities to leverage the growing space economy to support historically underserved and underrepresented communities so that the benefits of space can be enjoyed by all Americans.