Goodbye NASA

On the #SED2011 #NASATweetup Bus

 I am the Formal Education Lead on the Education and Public Outreach team for the Solar Dynamics Observatory at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center. At least I will be, until the 17th of May. I’ve decided to move on, but I feel like the significant impact this phase has had on my life deserves some reflection, and a whole lot of gratitude. I’ve changed, almost completely, since my time at Goddard began. The things I have been able to do, the people I’ve met, and places I’ve gone while in this job catalyzed that change. My time at NASA opened doors for me and then taught me how to walk through them. My life is overwhelmingly richer for having been here. The depth of my thankfulness for all I’ve learned is overwhelming me as I write this, so excuse me if this post gets mushy, but some of these things just need to be shared.

*I stole the vast majority of these photos. If one of them is yours, I'm sorry.

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 I started working at NASA in the spring of 2008, taking the job to escape from a bad relationship. It’s not the ideal reason to take a job, but it was all I had at the time. Moving to Maryland and starting over gave me an incredible amount of hope and strength. In a way I credit those who hired me with saving me. I needed help, and they provided a way out. Not only did I have a way out, I had a creative, innovative team around me that encouraged forward thinking and risk taking. I was told repeatedly that I should aim high and then adjust accordingly, because you don’t know what you can get away with until you try. For the first time in years I was financially secure, physically safe, personally needed and challenged. I healed and blossomed.

With Camilla at SpaceUp DC

In designing an outreach plan for SDO’s launch I realized a few of my life’s dreams. The first was to be an intimate part of a NASA mission. Not just experience one from behind a desk, but to play a part in the launch and beginning of that mission. I got to do that last year when SDO launched from Kennedy Space Center. In the process I learned about social media and the power of community and common interest. What started as an experiment with the somewhat dormant “@NASA_SDO” account turned into a surfboard on the crest of an agency-wide paradigm shift. I attended the first Tweetups at HQ, timidly tapping Jen Scheer on the shoulder and introducing myself. I would never have guessed that a year later I’d be calling her “mom.” Her capacity to create and influence her world inspired me to take the big steps I’m taking now to change my life. I’m truly blessed to know her, and look up to her a great deal. If anyone is capable of world domination, it’s Jen. She is just one of over 200 such people I’ve met through our social media campaigns in the last 18 months. 200 insightful, innovative, intelligent, creative, giving and loving people. Thank you all so much for including me in your lives…

*aaand now I need a tissue…*

Carrie and Jen

The #SDOisGO #NASATweetup Crew

Group photo from #SED2011

During launch I also got the chance to run a teacher workshop at Kennedy Space Center. To me this was always the Mecca of earth and space science teaching. NASA’s resources are legendary, and now I was the one at the podium. I had to pinch myself that morning to make sure I wasn’t imagining it all. There were tears that day too. That same spring my first children’s book was published, and I stood at the Newseum under the giant HD screen and watched as SDO’s brilliant images were shared with the world for the first time. My daddy was there with me that day too.

Post KSC Teacher workshop

First Light Press Conference

I got to take my little brother to SDO’s launch, and stood next to him as STS-132 launched as well. Three months later I stood next to Dave Masten and watched the next shuttle launch, and this past February I watched Discovery on her last ride. I never imagined I’d see three shuttle launches in one year, let alone see them in the company of such amazing people. From pre-launch parties to unplanned nights at Fishlips, I’ll count some of those moments as my most dear.

My little brother, James, and I

At the #NASATweetup Tent for STS-132

Space Tweeps 1yr anniversary party at Fishlips

 In the last three years I’ve gotten to visit New Orleans, Kennedy SC, Seattle, San Francisco, Boulder, Tahoe, Johnson SC, San Francisco again… all with work. I’m intimately acquainted with BWI and SFO, and can give you street directions to the Moscone Center downtown. I’ve gotten to climb in most of the places I’ve visited as well, ticking things like Devils Tower off of my life’s ToDo list. Because of these trips I’ve gotten to meet far away people who are now some of my closest friends.

Canvasing the streets for SpaceUp DC: Ben, Jen, Carrie, Tiffany and Tim

Me and Tiffany

Dean, the bald Project Scientist

These past three years haven’t been all sunshine and roses, I know that, but they have been so very good to me overall. Because of my time at NASA I have the courage and ability to move on now that the time has come. I couldn’t have asked for a better place to get to know myself. I’m going to miss so much after I’m gone: my colorful office, my grumpy office mate, the bank tellers, the security guards, getting ready for weekend outreach events, quick trips to Starbucks, my shelves of random science teacher supplies, sorting and stuffing stickers into thousands of packets, seeing student’s eyes light up, the smell of buildings 7, 10 and 29, seeing history made in the clean rooms, squawking chickens, bald project scientists, heavy boxes, team meetings that require rum, late nights looking at stars and planets, seeing the giant NASA meatball as I drive in every day…

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Outside the large thermal vac chamber in B 29

These things will always have a spot in my heart. To everyone who was a part of my life while I’ve worked for NASA, thank you so much. I really don’t think you’ll ever know how much you’ve impacted my life.

Thank you NASA, and goodbye.

After watching #SDOisGO launch