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Every week, I have access to astronauts, researchers, and scientists as a NASA Solar System Ambassador, and it’s beyond a dream come true. -Pat Monteith
Pat Monteith remembers hearing John F. Kennedy tell the nation that we would send a man to the moon by the end of the 1960s. On that day, the president’s words shaped her lifelong fascination with space. Decades and many different careers later, Pat is a NASA Solar System Ambassador, STEM advocate, and community leader with a passion for helping students achieve their dreams, particularly by helping them with award-winning science fair entries. Raised by a single mom and a Lithuanian grandmother who spoke 7 languages, Pat grew up in Watertown, Massachusetts, where her mother worked for the Hood Rubber company. From the time she was 10 years old, Pat took on the responsibility of caring for their small apartment, including all the cooking and cleaning. She recalls her mother’s long hours and learned the value of a strong work ethic early in her life. Always a wiz at math, she earned her undergraduate degree in Mathematics from the University of Massachusetts Boston and her Master’s in Communication from Emerson College. In this interview, we learn that Pat’s success story really did come in chapters. She’s a Renaissance woman who has experienced success across multiple careers, including as founder and manager of WUMB, Founder & Director of the Boston Folk Festival, Executive Director of the syndicated radio program Commonwealth Journal, the weekly feature NASA Space Notes, and a science fiction novel for kids called The Secret Case of the Space Station Stowaways. Recently, Pat was speaking at a local elementary school about her work as a NASA Ambassador, and a third-grade student approached her asking, “MissPat, are there children at the International Space Station?” When Pat replied “no”, the girl said: Well, I’m gonna be the first one.” For 22 minutes of intergalactic wisdom and inspiration, just hit that download button. #NASA #STEM #science #solarsystem #sciencefair