Today we meet with Ben Jones, an Electrical & Manufactory Technician for NearSpace Launch in Upland Indiana. A recently graduate of Valparaiso University with a Bachelor of science in electrical engineering, Ben joined NSL in May of 2025 after participating in their DreamBig Project. Ben’s university team joined five other university teams who earned payload space on a .5U CubeSat. Ben helped found his university’s first space program where they worked with pocketqubes and he also participated with the University Nanosatellite Program in Albuquerque designing a 3U cubesat. We look forward to hearing about his new career fresh out of school and know you will enjoy hearing about his journey as well.

Chris Carberry is the CEO and co-founder of Explore Mars, Inc. (Explore Mars), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit space advocacy organization. In this role, he oversees the annual Humans to Mars Summit, the largest annual conference focused on sending humans to Mars, and has spearheaded dozens of programs, projects, and outreach efforts. Before joining Explore Mars, Carberry served as Executive Director of The Mars Society. Carberry has presented oral (and written) testimony to both the United States Senate as well as the United States House of Representatives. He is also the author of over 100 articles that have appeared in publications around the world and has been featured in over 100 national and international television, radio programs, and podcasts. Carberry is the author of The Music of Space (2024) and Alcohol in Space: Past, Present, and Future (2019), which has been adapted into a documentary film. Carberry is co-editing a book called A Future Spacefaring Society for Springer to be released in 2026.

Today we meet with the phenomenal Sam Wheeler is a physics instructor at the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics, where he teaches AP Physics C, General Physics, and Elements of Satellite Design—a course in which students design, test, and fly CubeSats on a campus zipline. His career has included remarkable opportunities such as co-hosting a live math and science TV show, flying student experiments on Zero-G flights, connecting students with astronauts aboard the ISS, and conducting astrobiology research in Death Valley. A Fulbright Scholar to Japan, former NCSTA President, and recipient of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Math & Science Teaching, Sam has also served as an Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellow at the U.S. Department of Energy. He holds undergraduate degrees in physics and science education and a PhD in Science (Physics) Education from NC State University.

Today we meet with Michael Fatig: He’s a lifelong space enthusiast and second generation career space professional as an Engineer, a program manager, a business unit manager, and a growth leader. He has worked on Over 35 missions including one that led to a Nobel Prize for science in astrophysics). He has also led 15 professional papers, and is a recipient of the NASA Public Service Medal. Michael’s work encompasses many realms including Founder of the Cooperative Satellite Learning Program, President of the Maryland Association of Partners in Education, and Board Member of the Maryland Space Business Roundtable. Stay tuned for what is sure to be a great episode.

Lalitha Murali is a gifted and talented teacher for the Glendale River-Hills School District. 16 years ago, when she started teaching, she noticed that there were only a handful of immigrant and minority children in the gifted programs. By starting educational outreach programs and organizing workshops, Lalitha targeted the underrepresented groups in her school a community. Today, she offers advanced learning opportunities for immigrant and minority families. Lalitha has been recognized several times for dedication and passion in the field and most recently, her commitment to advancing STEM education has earned her recognition as a Globant STEM Award Winner for the Inspiring Leader

Raz Idan has been an educator for almost 20 years, working as a guide in multiple science museums and even at an astronomical observatory. He's a self-proclaimed space-nerd with degrees in physics, materials engineering, and a master's in space systems engineering on the horizon. Raz brings his passion for education and space together in his professional life. Currently teaching Engineering & Entrepreneurship (E²) at The Leffell School, a K-12 private school in Westchester County, NY, he launched the space engineering elective this past year. His students developed a payload box that will be launched on a high altitude balloon, aiming to pass 100,000 feet! This coming school year holds even more exciting space-related activities in store. In his spare time, Raz has picked up hobbies such as observational astronomy, astrophotography, and ham radio, which he often incorporates into his classroom.

Today we meet with Dean Cameron, the CEO of TOP shelf Media. He has been an aerospace marketing professional for the past 38 years with experience in engineering and design as well as numerous manufacturing disciplines. In an effort to support both current Manufacturing resources, Dean launched Northwest Aerospace News in 2017. He strongly believes that the future of the aerospace industry depends on exposing youth to Advanced Manufacturing practices—this means as early as middle school! He connects young minds to the industry, exposing them to careers in the industry through his middle school aged focus publication, Let's Go Aerospace Magazine for kids. Dean’s view on education completely jibe with our own, and we know you will see how valuable his contributions are after this episode. Don’t miss the links to his publications below. Links: www.northwestaerospacenews.com (Industry Trade Magazine)www.letsgoaerospace.com (Middle School Magazine)

Melissa Sleeper is a National Board Certified Teacher currently teaching Life Science and Space Science at Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy in Melbourne, Florida. A career changer, Melissa worked as an Agriculture Economist/Statistician setting up crop reporting services and running rural household surveys. She lived and taught in both public and private schools in Morocco, Egypt, Grenada, Barbados, Bolivia, and Nicaragua in addition to her extensive work here in the States. Melissa has the unique experience of being able to say she has taught at every grade level from pre-K to adult.. Melissa an active member of the National Science Teaching Association, The AIAA and has served on, among others, the Aerospace Advisory Board and National Middle Level Science Teachers Association. Her passion for space education was flamed when she was selected an Educator Ambassador for NASA’s MAVEN Mission. We are grateful to know such a passionate STEM educator and we know you will appreciate Melissa as much as we do. SmallSat Education Conference:

Melissa Mecca holds a Bachelors of science in mechanical engineering from the university of Florida where she graduated cum laude in 2021. She now has four years of industry experience under her belt at Aerojet Rocketdyne, a segment of L3 Harris providing space and defense propulsion products. There she supports the RL10 program, which is one of the most reliable liquid cryogenic upper stage rocket engines. Currently, she works as a Project Component Engineer, holding the position of Hardware Management Lead for the engine valves. She seizes opportunities to educate and inspire students interested in STEM by leading site tours and supporting recruiting events. Outside of work, she enjoys pickleball, salsa dancing and travellng the world. Let’s check in with Melissa now. Small Sat Education Conference:

Today we meet with Jo Mackiewicz; she has spent 20 plus years researching how communication facilitates (and impedes) learning while teaching at universities such as Auburn and Iowa State. She’s studied (via corpus and discourse analysis) writing center talk, technical editing and, more recently, communication between welding instructors and students in the book Welding Technical Communication. In 2022, she finished her diploma in welding and started working at Howe's Welding and Metal Fabrication, a small repair and fab shop in Ames, Iowa. Her latest book, Learning Skilled Trades in the Workplace, describes and analyzes her experiences learning welding and fabrication on the job and is available to download or read online for free. Oh and did I mention she’s my bestie since high school? You will be inspired by this amazing woman in STEM and see that pursuing one’s passion can come at any point in your career. Stay tuned!Link to Jo's book: SmallSat Education Conference: https://www.smallsateducation.org/