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Semperfemme
Regular Poster
Username: Semperfemme
Post Number: 33
Registered: 07-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, August 07, 2006 - 08:16 am: | 
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I love The Science channel, so when they were doing a special on planetary exploration (a branch of Astronomy I find most interesting) I had to be in attendance.
I was "introduced" to Dr. Claudia Alexander and thought to myself; Now that's someone I'd like to be like when I grow up. It'd be nice if more schools could get her and other Black female scientists out to school as motivation for Black aspiring Astronomists and Cosmologists.
Dr. Alexander Interview:
http://www.engin.umich.edu/students/support/wie/friends/alumnae/claudia_alexande r.html
Galileo Mission Overview:
http://galileo.jpl.nasa.gov/ |
Semperfemme
Regular Poster
Username: Semperfemme
Post Number: 34
Registered: 07-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, August 07, 2006 - 08:23 am: |
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Lol, did I say astronomists? I met Astronomers. |
Mzuri
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Mzuri
Post Number: 1244
Registered: 01-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, August 07, 2006 - 12:05 pm: |
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I loved going to the planetarium when I was in school, and I stargaze every now and then. Besides the teachers coming to the schools, more field trips to visit giant telescopes, planetariums and IMAX theaters would be great. If you're in the area there's a Star Party in Sept at White Sands:
http://www.spacefame.org/events.php?view=detail&event_id=22 |
Semperfemme
Regular Poster
Username: Semperfemme
Post Number: 36
Registered: 07-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, August 07, 2006 - 05:27 pm: |
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Of course you have to rub in living close to a spot without light pollution LOL!. Here in Fairfax, I'd have to journey down close to Winchester or Front Royal to get some good star gazing in.
I'm lucking to catch Venus rising or Jupiter at dusk.
I wish I could attend as that looks awesome. I should check to see if we have something similar going on in this area. |
Yvettep
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Yvettep
Post Number: 1225
Registered: 01-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, August 07, 2006 - 05:46 pm: |
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Thanks for posting this! I am always excited to hear of stuff like this (as my STEM thread demonstrates). ALthough I must say, reading this made me a little sad:
This is the area of my greatest failure and deepest regret. I have no family life, and find the balance a difficult one to achieve.
I wish I knew more about why she says this, what her specific experiences have been. (Of course I can guess at what some of them might be...) |
Abm
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Abm
Post Number: 5770
Registered: 04-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, August 07, 2006 - 05:54 pm: |
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Yvettep,
I am sadden by that as well. The further a Black woman ascends the spires of science, the more lonesome she likely will be.
At the very end of the interview, she hinted at leaving the science field and become a writer. I guess no one has told her the writer life can be a pretty lonely one as well. |
Mzuri
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Mzuri
Post Number: 1256
Registered: 01-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, August 07, 2006 - 06:17 pm: |
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I wasn't trying to rub it in. Honest. But now that you mention it I do reside on the outer edges of the county so I can see the stars really well.
The Star Party is an annual event so maybe you can arrange to swing by White Sands the next time you go to Las Vegas 
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Semperfemme
Regular Poster
Username: Semperfemme
Post Number: 37
Registered: 07-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, August 07, 2006 - 06:55 pm: |
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Abm: ESPECIALLY in the sciences where many of the years most people would spend dating are spent in labs and libraries. A lot of Black men in the fields of physics, astronomy, quantum mechanics etc. are alone too...too many calculations to do and not enough time.
I'm sure writing does carry the same kind of "penalty", but I think this happens with all works of passion, inspiration, and exploration. They don't want to stop for any reason other than reaching "the goal"...whatever it may be. True discipline.
Mzuri- Don't forget about the Perseids meteor shower on the 12th of this month. The viewing isn't going to be as good as last year because of the moon phase, but with the right seating and time frame (between 0200 and 0400) you should still see a nice display.
Here's a link with details:
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2005/22jul_perseids2005.htm |
Mzuri
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Mzuri
Post Number: 1259
Registered: 01-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, August 07, 2006 - 07:15 pm: |
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Cool. |
Semperfemme
Regular Poster
Username: Semperfemme
Post Number: 38
Registered: 07-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, August 07, 2006 - 07:20 pm: |
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Amb: I'd love to go into Astrophysics, but I lack the income for that kind of education(Hence the computer programming major). Hoping the Marine Corps will help me with that one though. ^_^ |
Abm
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Abm
Post Number: 5773
Registered: 04-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, August 08, 2006 - 07:42 am: |
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Semperfemme,
Perhaps if/when the numbers of Black STEM'ers increase, foks like Dr. Alexander can find some balance between their work and life, love, & family.
And I hope you find some means to pursue your interest in Astrophysics. |
Chrishayden
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Chrishayden
Post Number: 2533
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, August 08, 2006 - 11:25 am: |
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This is true of most disciplines and professions.
The most successful give up any personal life. I was listening Saturday to a guy who was talking about Wall Street. He said anybody wanting to make it had to give up their life. He said he was able to take it for about ten fifteen years, finally had to pack it in.
All who want to be top scientists, or CEOs or Stockbrokers, or attorneys, or crooks, or rappers, or whatever take heed.
The idea that you can have it all is an American myth. You cannot. |
Yvettep
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Yvettep
Post Number: 1226
Registered: 01-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, August 08, 2006 - 09:19 pm: |
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The idea that you can have it all is an American myth. You cannot.
True, Chris. But many of us can be more things at once than ever before in the history of our people's existence in this country. But this requires redefining your terms. Me, for example.
Not saying I am (yet, anyway) a professional "success" in my field the way most would define it. It has taken me many years of part time and on again-off again school to get to this point. But, I have gotten here with a husband and two daughters I adore, am in pretty good health, etc. But by my own rules, my own definitions, my own time...
PS-We should take up a collection--I want Semperfemme to be able to go on the next space mission! |
Abm
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Abm
Post Number: 5789
Registered: 04-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, August 09, 2006 - 06:12 am: |
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Yvettep,
I agree one must set her-his own rules for "success".
Also. We live in a time where much of the work we do can be done any/everywhere we are. So perhaps our ability to succeed is more encumbent upon how well we can mesh our personal/family lives with out work. And vice versa.
Maybe some of us might benefit from some COMBINING of the 2. |
Yvettep
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Yvettep
Post Number: 1233
Registered: 01-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, August 09, 2006 - 10:31 am: |
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Yup! |
Yvettep
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Yvettep
Post Number: 1235
Registered: 01-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, August 09, 2006 - 10:54 am: |
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Semperfemme, why the Marine Corps and not, say, the Air Force? Just curious. |
Semperfemme
Regular Poster
Username: Semperfemme
Post Number: 50
Registered: 07-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, August 09, 2006 - 11:29 am: |
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I like what the Corps represents. Honor, Courage, and Commitment. Attributes I've always strived to have but do not have the self-discipline to attain. The Marines will break me down into putty and mold me up to see beyond petty differences and embrace the true meaning of team work.
The 13 week bootcamp seems intense but fun.
Most of my buddies are Marines and they'd kill me if I joined the Air Force. They don't even consider them real military, lol! |
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