Meet the Expert: Melinda Bradley, physicist and space educator
Melinda Bradley is responsible for implementing a range of the Space Foundation’s space-inspired STEM educational programs including the Junior Space Entrepreneurship Program, Discover the Universe field trips and virtual programs as well as the Space Foundation Discovery Center’s public programming initiatives for students, teachers, and families.
Bradley graduated from the University of Colorado with her Bachelor’s degree in Physics and Energy Science. During her college career, Bradley obtained an internship through Pikes Peak Community College and NASA to create a payload for high-altitude balloon launch where she won Best Interdisciplinary Engineering Project in 2015. Most recently, her senior research project explored the dangers of radiation in space and solutions that could be implemented on future space missions
Melinda works at the Space Foundation Discovery Center in Colorado Springs, CO. Here is more information on this amazing place! https://www.discoverspace.org/
Melinda with a new AI robot
Melinda at a NASA launch
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Challenge:
Experience Physics around your house. Look at gravity, friction, time, and more. Write down a few
experiments that you tried. How do you think these forces would work in microgravity in space? Draw a
picture or send us a note about what you learned?
With your parent’s permission, send us a picture or drawing of your pulley system.
Highlighted book for this Episode:
Dr. E’s Super Stellar Solar System: Massive Mountains! Supersize Storms! Alien Atmospheres!
by Bethany Ehlmann (Author), Jennifer Swanson (Author)
Book List:
Our Solar System: An Exploration of Planets, Moons, Asteroids, and Other Mysteries of Space
by Lisa Reichley
Super Cool Space Facts: A Fun, Fact-filled Space Book for Kids by PhD Bruce Betts
Mars: The Red Planet: Rocks, Rovers, Pioneers, and More! by Elizabeth Carney (Author)
