Exploring space on TV just as challenging – Arizona Daily Sun

Imagine seeing our planet from space: An Earth without boundaries situated in the vastness of the universe. From the opening of her presentation earlier this month at NAU, Emily Calandrellis main point was clear: Space is more exciting today than ever before in history.

For most of us, we need a creative way to learn about these topics or else we wouldn't learn them at all. But with the birth of the Internet and platforms like YouTube, we're finding more and more creative ways to learn about these topics, she said.

Calandrelli is a producer and host of FOXs Xploration Outer Space and a correspondent on Bill Nye Saves the World. She received her masters degree from MIT in Aeronautics and Astronautics, Technology and Policy Program.

Her talk on March 1 was part of NAUs College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Science ninth annual STEM speaker series. The event drew an audience of all ages and women comprised over half the crowd.

Calandrellis passion for space exploration resonated with the audience. The room was filled with a sense of awe and curiosity as we contemplated outer space.

Calandrelli noted that scientists have recently discovered the highest number of Earth-sized planets around a sun. An ice deposit the size of New Mexico was discovered on Mars. And plans are in motion to bring tourists to space. Calandrelli even projects that the first trillionaire will be made in space, because almost everything that we hold of value on Earth is available nearly limitlessly in outer space.

When asked what she thinks the most exciting breakthrough in space exploration will be, Calandrelli predicts that it will be reusable rockets. She said that [reusable rockets] will change space exploration because its going to make traveling and sending things into space cheaper.

As space exploration becomes cheaper, it becomes more accessible. Lowering the monetary barrier for space entry would promote creativity and innovation in the space industry. Likewise, making science education more understandable would encourage people to pursue careers in space exploration and other STEM fields.

Yet, despite the excitement in the space industry, the science behind the wonder is a mystery to most. Thats why it is Calandrellis mission to inspire science literacy and interest through space exploration. Admittedly, science can be difficult to understand. There's a lot of known science that can seem like magic because we cannot see it with our plain eyes, such as X-rays, germs or even electrical currents.

But as Calandrelli explains, science is an integral part of our lives. Having an understanding of how science works can have a tangible benefit, even if youre not planning on exploring space. However, it is todays students that will provide the creativity and innovation that will advance space exploration.

Calandrelli says that this is why she strives to use inventive methods to communicate scientific principles in her show.

She also stressed that with availability of the internet, we need to mind our sources. Experts do exist, and opinions on social media are not always evidence-based certainties. Calandrelli urged that in a world of alternative facts, we must stand up for objective truth.

The presentation ended with the same sense of marvel in which it began, and left the audience with a standing message. Science can seem overwhelming, but when broken down, it is beautiful. When asked about the future of science education, Calandrelli said that she is incredibly hopeful that the rate of science literacy will rise in the years to come.

The end of the presentation left the audience with a challenge: tonight, take a moment to look at the sky. Take a moment to breathe, to wonder, to ponder the stars. Question the universe, and push yourself to learn and understand. Ultimately, Emily Calandrelli believes that a comfortable understanding of scientific principles could lead us to be happy, healthy and responsible citizens of Planet Earth.

Taylor Hartman is this years NAU NASA Space Grant science writing intern .

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Exploring space on TV just as challenging - Arizona Daily Sun