1 00:00:10,380 --> 00:00:11,380 [ Music ] 2 00:00:11,380 --> 00:00:15,139 My names Valerie Wiesner, and I'm a Research Materials Engineer in the Ceramic and Polymer 3 00:00:15,139 --> 00:00:17,950 Composites Branch at NASA Glenn Research Center. 4 00:00:17,950 --> 00:00:22,090 Ever since I was a child, I've always wanted to work at NASA. 5 00:00:22,090 --> 00:00:26,540 And so the day I actually came to work at NASA was basically a dream come true. 6 00:00:26,540 --> 00:00:31,550 I'm originally from Lawrence, Kansas, and I earned my Bachelor's Degree in Physics, 7 00:00:31,550 --> 00:00:36,160 and my concentration in Japanese language and literature from Carlton College in Northfield, 8 00:00:36,160 --> 00:00:37,160 Minnesota. 9 00:00:37,160 --> 00:00:41,410 I worked in Japan for a year as an English teacher, teaching elementary through junior 10 00:00:41,410 --> 00:00:45,050 high students in a suburb of Tokyo, Japan. 11 00:00:45,050 --> 00:00:50,610 After living in Japan, I attended graduate school at Purdue University, where I ultimately 12 00:00:50,610 --> 00:00:53,780 earned my Ph.D in materials engineering. 13 00:00:53,780 --> 00:01:00,080 Right now I'm working on coming up with new materials to protect next generation, ceramic-based 14 00:01:00,080 --> 00:01:03,480 engine components against wear from sand. 15 00:01:03,480 --> 00:01:09,220 This is important because, as aircraft engine temperatures increase to improve fuel efficiency, 16 00:01:09,220 --> 00:01:13,280 sand, when it's ingested, can actually melt into a glass. 17 00:01:13,280 --> 00:01:19,520 And this glass can damage engine components, leading to premature failure of the engine. 18 00:01:19,520 --> 00:01:25,549 To prepare my sand glass samples, I actually take samples of sand - sometimes actual sand 19 00:01:25,549 --> 00:01:30,229 samples, sometimes synthetic sand mixtures - and I heat them up in a furnace, and then 20 00:01:30,229 --> 00:01:34,860 I take them out quickly and quench them in water to result in a glass sample that I can 21 00:01:34,860 --> 00:01:36,460 use for my research. 22 00:01:36,460 --> 00:01:39,840 There are actually a lot of things I like about my job. 23 00:01:39,840 --> 00:01:45,479 What I like most probably, is that I get to work on relevant real world problems and come 24 00:01:45,479 --> 00:01:47,450 up with new innovative solutions. 25 00:01:47,450 --> 00:01:51,899 I've been fortunate to have a number of role models in my life, but I'd say my number one 26 00:01:51,899 --> 00:01:53,939 role model has to be my mom. 27 00:01:53,939 --> 00:01:59,889 She did a great job of instilling a purpose, or a strong sense of education for me, and 28 00:01:59,889 --> 00:02:05,079 regardless of where my career path took me, she was always my number one supporter. 29 00:02:05,079 --> 00:02:09,229 And without her, I don't think I'd be where I am today. 30 00:02:09,229 --> 00:02:12,590 I would say the person I admire most is Sally Ride. 31 00:02:12,590 --> 00:02:16,209 I was fortunate to have the opportunity to actually meet her in person. 32 00:02:16,209 --> 00:02:21,080 She was very humble, personable, and she was very motivational. 33 00:02:21,080 --> 00:02:24,700 And I very much enjoyed the time I got to spend with her. 34 00:02:24,700 --> 00:02:30,090 In addition to the research I get to work on, I also get to interact with students regularly, 35 00:02:30,090 --> 00:02:32,680 whether through mentoring opportunities or through outreach. 36 00:02:32,680 --> 00:02:38,000 And I really enjoy working with youth and getting them excited about STEM. 37 00:02:38,000 --> 00:02:42,070 I think it's important to promote STEM education among girls to let them know that they have 38 00:02:42,070 --> 00:02:46,620 the same opportunities as anyone else to be successful in STEM careers. 39 00:02:46,620 --> 00:02:51,590 My biggest advice to young people would be never give up. 40 00:02:51,590 --> 00:02:56,070 You're going to have days where things are a little harder, whether it's in math, English, 41 00:02:56,070 --> 00:02:57,070 or whatnot. 42 00:02:57,070 --> 00:02:58,840 But the point is, never give up.