Name: Harrison Bach
Title: Intern
Organization: Office of Communications, Code 130
How does your education combine your passions – science, film and teaching?
I got my undergraduate degree in biomedical science and film production from Western Michigan University. I’ve always liked science and film growing up. I think both areas are creative in their own ways. Initially, I wanted to become a marine biologist and filmmaker.
Later in my career, I want to be a scientific communication professor and filmmaker. I’ve always been influenced by teachers, and because of them I want to give back and hopefully inspire others, but I also want to constantly be creating powerful visual content.
I’m about to start my second of a three-year Master of Fine Arts program in science and natural history filmmaking at Montana State University. The program combines science and filmmaking: perfect for me. After that, I want to work at NASA Goddard and find a way to pursue a Ph.D. in science education.
What teaching have you done?
Since I was 19, I’ve been teaching a variety of classes like general biology and life sciences, molecular and cellular biology, and anatomy and physiology. What started as an odd job that helped me pay for undergrad, quickly turned into the best job I’ve ever had. I think it was such a good experience because I was able to combine all the facets of what I’ve observed from good teachers and give it back to my students in one really fun biology class.
Why did you do a gap year teaching English in China?
After college, I took a year off to teach English in China, in the province of Hunan. I lived in the capital, Changsha. I taught middle school and high school at a boarding school, a sister school to Yale called Yali.
Initially I was incredibly anxious. I did not speak Chinese, but I learned as I went about. I used translator apps a lot and got really good at talking with my hands. I learned how to get out of my comfort zone in the most extreme way possible, where no one knew English and I didn’t know Chinese. It was incredibly fun and, frankly, hard to come back home.
What attracts you to film?
It’s the whole idea of telling a story. Storytelling is one of the best forms of entertainment and film is a fairly new way of doing so.
Additionally, storytelling through film is a great way to teach. I am a very visual learner; I love watching and listening. So hopefully by creating super fun and educational content, it will helpful to students and anyone else that wants to watch.
What is your focus this summer at Goddard?
Making films. I am a general video producer not attached to any particular area. I am very grateful to be an intern at Goddard.
I am doing everything for everyone.
One fun project that I’m working on this summer is making films about people and the work we do here at NASA. For the most part, the general public knows about the science we do here, but they don’t know who is doing the science. My hypothesis is that when the public gets to learn about who works here, the viewers might just notice a bit of themselves in the people here, and maybe some of the younger viewers could become inspired to work here one day.
What films have you made at Goddard?
I’m still waiting for some of them to be finalized, so right now it’s “STEM Boys Night In”, RockOn, and Conversations with Goddard – Jody Davis.
Coming up will be the OPSPARC Teaser. And many more!
How are you related to Johan Sebastian Bach?
I am very, very distantly related to him through his brother. I mostly compose for guitar and piano, but I don’t compose symphonies. I play over 10 instruments. Once you learn an instrument, it is much easier to learn another instrument. The skills carry over between them.
I’m totally infatuated with music!
How do music and film help you work around being dyslexic?
Since I didn’t know I was dyslexic until I graduated college, I just thought reading and writing wasn’t my strong suit and that learning through films and music was easier. Until I had the label to it, I just thought this was my thing, and honestly it still is. Labels are lame and don’t define anything or anyone. I have always understood life through music and films, and hope to use music and films to help others learn, entertain and motivate — especially anyone else who is like me.
Seeing the world through music and films is an alternative way of seeing the world and learning. It’s worked for me, so hopefully it will work for others.
By Elizabeth M. Jarrell
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center