Aerospace Engineer, 'Xploration Outer Space' TV Host/Producer Speaks at UNF
The University of North Florida's Center for the Advancement of Women in Engineering as well as the
College of Computing, Engineering and Construction will celebrate International Women's Week with the fifth annual Women Leaders in STEM Conference at 9 a.m. Tuesday, March 5, at the Adam W. Herbert University Center, Building 43.
The featured speaker will be Emily Calandrelli, aerospace engineer, author and Emmy-nominated host
and executive producer of FOX's "Xploration Outer Space," which focuses on space exploration and our place in the universe as part of Fox Network's science based television block "Xploration Station."
Well-known in the world of science education and an accomplished speaker, Calandrelli will share her
perspective on women in STEM fields as well as discuss space exploration, scientific literacy and equality. A Q&A session will follow her discussion.
"This is an exciting time for women entering the field of engineering, and we are so pleased to have
Emily visit our campus," said Dr. Alexandra Schönning, director of UNF's Center for the Advancement of
Women in Engineering. "She brings a celebrity status to her role as educator, explorer and engineer, and will serve as an inspiration to students who wish to pursue a career in a STEM field."
Calandrelli has also been featured as a correspondent on Netflix's show, "Bill Nye Saves the World," as
well as writer and host of "Spotlight Space" a YouTube series from Lockheed Martin detailing their latest
developments in space projects. She also was named to Adweek's "11 Celebrities and Influencers Raising the Bar for Creativity in 2017."
She given presentations in front of companies like Google, Pixar, MIT and Texas Instruments as well as
dozens of K-12 schools across the nation, speaking on the importance of science literacy, the benefits of
space exploration and the challenges for women in STEM careers.
An accomplished writer, Calandrelli's chapter-book series was launched in August 2017. "The Ada
Lace Adventures" center around an 8-year-old girl with a knack for science, math and solving mysteries with technology. The second book, "Ada Lace: Sees Red," was included in the National Science Teachers
Association's list of best STEM books for 2018; while the fifth book in the series, "Ada Lace: and the
Suspicious Artist" was released on February 12th.
Prior to her work in science communication, Calandrelli attended West Virginia University, where she
received two bachelor's degrees in mechanical engineering and aerospace engineering, as well as MIT, where she received two master's degrees, one in aeronautics/astronautics and the other in technology/policy.
University Awards Webpage
For more information on this free and open to the public event, visit the CAWE's event webpage or email Alexandra Schönning.
The Center for the Advancement of Women in Engineering focuses on increasing recruitment, retention
and advancement of women in engineering though outreach activities in the K-12 community, a coaching
program for engineering students and conferences for engineering professionals.
UNF, a nationally ranked university located on an environmentally beautiful campus, offers students who are dedicated to enriching the lives of others the opportunity to build their own futures through a well-rounded education.
