An innovative collection of planetary construction materials that were researched and developed in Â鶹´«Ã½ for sustainable space exploration are being showcased in a new exhibit at the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum (NASM) in Washington, D.C. in collaboration with the University of Â鶹´«Ã½ at Hilo (PISCES) program.

“The Futures in Space exhibition features two launchpad pavers and an interlocking brick made of sintered Hawaiian basalt and developed by PISCES,” said Chris Yoakum, communication officer of the UH Hilo aerospace research program.

NASM is one of the world’s most visited museums dedicated to flight and space exploration. The exhibit featuring PISCES’ research opened on July 28, and presents multiple visions of the future of space exploration while introducing the people, companies, governments and technologies that are helping to shape it.

“This kind of recognition highlights the value of our continuing work here in Â鶹´«Ã½ to help make sustainable living on Earth, and beyond, possible,” said Christian Andersen, research director at PISCES. “I’m excited to see local research from the Big Island contributing to global conversations about the future of space.”

Basalt for space

Materials for the exhibit were manufactured as part of a series of PISCES-led projects to create and deploy In-Situ Resource Utilization technology, a term coined by NASA to describe the process of transforming raw, locally sourced planetary material into usable resources. Among the featured materials is Hawaiian basalt, which shares chemical similarities with lunar and Martian surfaces.

“We wanted to show our visitors the type of work that’s being done now, here on Earth, to prepare for future crewed missions to the Moon and Mars,” said Matthew Shindell, space curator at NASM.

The Smithsonian exhibit also features PISCES outreach programs that encourage and support youth in pursuing STEM-related studies and careers.

The at University of Â鶹´«Ã½ at Hilo is hosting the ninth annual this summer. The free, hands-on program invites high school girls passionate about science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) to explore career pathways and gain inspiration for future studies in STEM fields.

The weeklong residential STEM program runs from June 15 to 21 on Â鶹´«Ã½ Island and is open to incoming freshmen through graduating seniors. Participants can explore engaging workshops, career prep, and behind-the-scenes tours of local STEM facilities.

• Space is limited.

“Our goals are to build a community that participants can draw support from in the future, prepare them for challenges they may face, and provide experiences that connect them with mentors and careers in Â鶹´«Ã½ and beyond,” said Amber Imai-Hong, STARS Program organizer.

From STARS to careers

Since its launch in 2014, STARS has reached more than 80 young women from schools across the state. Many have gone on to study STEM fields and land careers in science and technology.

Jessica Nagasako attended STARS in 2018 while she was a student at McKinley High School. She went on to earn a BA in physics and astronomy and is now a telescope operator at the .

STARS is open to Â鶹´«Ã½ high school girls ages 14 and up and is offered at no cost to participants. Meals, accommodations, and on-island transportation are all covered. Neighbor island students must pay for airfare.

For more to go the .

From Mars rovers to next-generation space telescopes, female scientists, engineers and technicians around the globe are actively pushing the boundaries of space discovery. Students of all ages are invited to meet and learn about the exciting work of these talented women during the 3rd Women in Space Exploration (WiSE) Talks series, March 14–16. The virtual event is free and open for anyone to attend.

Hosted by the (PISCES), an aerospace agency at the , this event provides a window into the personal and professional lives of women working in space careers through live presentations and extended Q&As.

The WiSE series will feature leading engineers at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) who work with robotic explorers on Mars, and an outreach scientist at the Space Science Telescope Institute who will share the exciting mission of the James Webb Space Telescope. The speakers will answer questions and offer guidance to students interested in STEM careers.

Event speakers

• Keri Bean, deputy leader planner for the Mars Curiosity Rover at NASA JPL
• Kelly Lepo, education and outreach scientist at the Space Telescope Science Institute
• Jenna Cadwallader, flight technician at NASA JPL

WiSE Talks will broadcast live via Zoom on March 14, 15 and 16, at 10:30 a.m. (HST). Each one-hour session will include a presentation and Q&A. During the Q&As, young women will be given priority to ask questions.

WiSE Talks is a bi-annual series made possible with support from the .