NASA Science Talks

Join four NASA Earth scientists as they share their research and cutting edge science!

Virtual talks are available until June 12, 2020.

View the NASA Science Talks by clicking below:

View Marile’s presentation: Do All Clouds Rain?
View Trena’ presentation: Living and working in Space
View Christopher’s presentation: Ice Sheets: Changing Now
View Erika’s presentation: Measuring Soil Moisture from Space

Time (All times in CT) Speaker Topic About the Scientist
9am-9:50am Marilé Colón Robles Do All Clouds Rain? The Importance of Citizen Science Observations of Clouds
NASA GLOBE Clouds uses cloud observations taken by citizen scientists just like you that sent in their observations through The GLOBE Program and compares them to NASA satellite data. Comparing the top-down view of a satellite with a citizen scientist’s bottom-up view creates a complete story. Mrs. Marilé Colón Robles will talk about the different types of clouds, how to take cloud observations through The GLOBE Program, and how the data is being used by NASA scientists.

Marilé Colón Robles

NASA GLOBE Clouds Science Lead, NASA Langley Research Center

I am an education specialist who leads the NASA GLOBE Clouds activities at NASA Langley Research Center, in Hampton, Virginia with Science Systems and Applications, Inc. In my job I work with educators and the general public on how to engage in real-world STEM activities through the GLOBE Program. In 2017, I was proud to be recognized with the Women of Color STEM Award for Educational Leadership – Corporate Promotion of Education. And I was a panelist for NASA’s 2017 Hispanic Heritage Month celebration titled ‘¡Latinos STEM Up’! Prior to working at NASA Langley, my graduate research focused on examining interactions between clouds and aerosols while earning a degree in Atmospheric Sciences from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. I was born and raised in Río Piedras, Puerto Rico. In addition to being a wife and mother of two beautiful girls, my hobbies include music and I’m an avid volleyball player!
10am-10:50am Trena Ferrell Living and working in Space

The talk will address how our astronauts live and work in space. There will be a quick hands-on activity too.

Trena Ferrell

Earth Science Division Education and Public Outreach Lead, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center

I am originally from Lansdale, Pennsylvania where I attended North Penn High School. When I was fifteen, I attended St. Jean Private College in Tonneins, France as an exchange student for the entire year. My host father in France was a medical doctor and I developed an interested in medicine, which led me to earning a Master of Science degree in Developmental Biology. I have a strong passion for education and have taught High School Chemistry, Biology and Math. I also love our planet Earth and education so that led to earning my PhD in environmental science. My current job at NASA allows me to combine all my passions: helping our planet and still educating our future scientists and engineers about Earth. I feel that I am very lucky to do what I do daily!
1pm-1:50pm Christopher Shuman Ice Sheets: Changing Now
Chris Shuman is a glaciologist at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center where he studies how ice sheets on Earth are changing using data from satellites like NASA/USGS Landsat and NASA IceSat 2. He loves to share his science stories with the public. In fact, one park ranger at Glacier Bay National Park told him that the satellites views and his science interpretation have transformed how they talk about glaciers with the public! Dr. Shuman earned his Ph.D. in Geosciences and M.S. in Geology from The Pennsylvania State University, and his B.S. in Geology from Moravian College.
3pm-3:50pm Dr. Erika Podest Measuring Soil Moisture from Space
This presentation will provide an overview of NASA's Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) Satellite Mission, which measures the amount of water in the soil and is helping better manage our water resources.

Erika Podest

Earth Scientist, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory

I grew up in Panama City, Panama and as a young child was awed by the extraordinary natural beauty of my country. The lush tropical jungle, white sanded beaches, and amazing diversity of plants and animals inspired me to pursue a career where I could better understand our environment and ultimately help preserve it. Today I am a scientist at NASA studying our Earth using data from satellites. I not only love doing science but engaging with students so that they too can learn about our natural environment.