Transportation YOU Arizona to host NASA Astronaut Jessica Meir
Reaching for the Stars! NASA Astronaut Jessica Meir to answer questions from Arizona girls during live, virtual event on Thursday, September 30
PHOENIX, AZ – Valley girls and teens will have a unique opportunity this month to meet and talk with NASA Astronaut Jessica Meir. The virtual event on Thursday, September 30 will feature a short presentation from Meir about her career and her role at NASA. Following the presentation attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and talk with Mier. The event is FREE and open to high school girls and their teachers. However, attendees must register online to participate. Teachers may register their classes as a group.
Event Information:
WHAT: Transportation YOU Presents Jessica Meir, NASA Astronaut
WHEN: Thursday, September 30 at 3 p.m. MST
COST: Free
REGISTRATION REQUIRED: bit.ly/TYOUSEPT21
The event is hosted by Transportation YOU, an organization that provides unique opportunities for young girls, ages 13 – 18, to explore potential career opportunities in the transportation industry. The transportation industry in one of many in which women have traditionally been underrepresented. A 2019 study from the Mineta Transportation Institute at San Jose State University found that women represent only 15% of the transportation workforce.
“Our Transportation YOU programs are designed to introduce girls to transportation careers, to successful female transportation leaders and to the many different career paths that exist in our industry,” Michael Book, Transportation YOU Chairperson and event organizer. “We are excited to have Jessica Meir join us for our September program to share her career experiences.”
Past local Transportation YOU programs have included behind-the-scenes tours of roadway and transit construction projects, classroom speakers and activities that connect classroom learning to real world careers.
Transportation YOU is a joint initiative between WTS International and the U.S. Department of Transportation. The WTS Metropolitan Phoenix Chapter is proud to sponsor Transportation YOU programs and opportunities for students in the metro-Phoenix area.
“The WTS Metropolitan Phoenix Chapter is proud to have such a successful and thriving Transportation YOU program,” Anita Richardson Frijia, WTS Metropolitan Phoenix Chapter President. “The mission of WTS is to advance women in the transportation industry and there is no better way for us to ensure our success than by getting girls excited early about potential careers in transportation.”
About WTS Metropolitan Phoenix
With more than 200 members representing all sectors of the transportation industry, the WTS Metropolitan Phoenix Chapter works toward the WTS mission of advancing women in the transportation industry through scholarships, recognition programs, mentorship programs and monthly events and programs to encourage networking and professional development.