NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration

By: Denise Lineberry

NASA Langley has a group that is as diverse as it is eager to tell the public what the agency does to support and improve our way of life. Members of the Speakers Bureau are from all walks of NASA, voluntarily bringing a variety of topics to civic, professional, educational and other non-profit organizations and groups.

"The speakers bureau members I have talked to have all come from different backgrounds and different projects, but they all share the same passion about NASA," said Meghan Guethe, NASA Langley's exhibits manager who has been involved with the Speakers Bureau since the mid-1990s. "They volunteer to do this because they care so much about the work they are doing. And they do make a difference. Any time we share with others the importance of the work being done at NASA, it makes a difference."

Guethe decided last year to join the Speakers Bureau and regularly talks to the public at museums and special events. "I’ve literally talked to thousands of people," she said.

And that's the outreach from just one member.

Some of the members of the Langley Speakers Bureau. Top Row (L to R): Vincent Whitfield, Robert Singleterry and Terry Clark. Bottom Row (L to R): Eileen Spillane and Priscilla Warsley-Riley Credit: NASA/Aly Artusio-Glimpse

Click image to enlarge

"I call it my 'win-win' volunteer work," said Priscilla Warsley-Riley, an INSPIRE coordinator for Langley who speaks with students -- kindergarten through the 12th grade -- about NASA careers.

"I normally set up a booth and run a presentation on a certain topic. I also bring hand-outs on the different student opportunities and careers at NASA," Warsley said. "Sometimes, I'll play a game or give them little quizzes. I also like to give out a lot of cool NASA stuff."

Talking points range from space exploration to aircraft safety to wind tunnels. Members range from engineers to aerospace technicians to educators.

Robert Singleterry, a research engineer, speaks to all types of crowds about his expertise: space radiation engineering. "By being a member, it has taught me to figure out how to explain what I know at a level that fits the audience," Singleterry said.

Terry Clark, an aerospace technician and mechanical designer, prefers to speak to "urban communities or remote groups that are lacking exposure to our industry."

"I am reaching children that may not realize they are future leaders of tomorrow until I show up," Clark said.

And Eileen Spillane, Langley's Speakers Bureau manager, is always looking for ways to reach out to potential members. Recently, Spillane called upon Becky Jaramillo of the National Institute of Aerospace (NIA) to speak at the third quarterly Speakers Bureau Series.

"People don't even know that NASA still flies," Jaramillio said to a room filled with interested members. "There are lots of cool things going on and we can show those things to the public."

Jaramillo showed that the power of the internet can be utilized to captivate audiences through NASA images and NASA eClips, short video segments available to teachers on demand to support STEM curriculum.

Hands-On activities were also shared, including "NASA Fit Explorer," which is an available online resource that helps students train like an astronaut while maintaining physical fitness.

Jaramillio also gave a presentation that revealed how easily a speaker could step in front of an audience and teach them about math relationships between the Earth and the moon with a simple spool of string.

Further ideas she passed on included "Pictures in the Sky," which shows speakers how to teach others to recognize star patterns called constellations.

The outcome of this meeting proved that anyone is capable of making an area their speaking expertise. The resources are already available. The only requirement is the desire to spread the excitement of what NASA does.

"For the most part, the audience is already interested as soon as you mention the word, 'NASA,' " Jaramillo said.

It's up to the members of the NASA Langley Speakers Bureau to tell them more. And they do in many ways, from many different aspects and to many different audiences across hundreds of miles.

In addition to responding to the local community, Langley supports a five-state area, comprised of Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Kentucky.

Geographically, the speakers cover a lot of ground. From a bigger picture, the diversity of the members and their messages have the ability to reach the ends of the Earth with every audience they come in contact with.

To learn more about becoming involved in NASA Langley's Speakers Bureau, please contact Eileen Spillane at eileen.m.spillane@nasa.gov

To find out how to enhance your presentation at a future event, contact Meghan Guethe at meghan.e.guethe@nasa.gov or Vince Whitfield at vincent.whitfield-1@nasa.gov



 
NASA Langley Research Center
Managing Editor: Jim Hodges
Executive Editor and Responsible NASA Official: H. Keith Henry
Editor and Curator: Denise Lineberry