Coding the Cosmos: Behind the Scenes with Software Engineer at NASA Goddard, Aaron Shepard [ep.4]

Check out the full episode on Coding the Cosmos: Behind the Scenes with Software Engineer at NASA Goddard, Aaron Shepard

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Episode Summary

Hey, my little Questies! Today’s STEM career quest takes us far, far away into outer space! Now I have a question for you: Did you know that just like Earth orbits or moves around the sun, there are telescopes that orbit Earth? These special telescopes require a lot of work behind the scenes to ensure they work correctly. It takes careful planning, communication, and coding, all done from Earth!

To tell us more about these amazing telescopes, we will hear from Aaron Shepard, a software engineer at NASA Goddard. Aaron uses his software engineering skills in computer science to build projects, solve problems, do coding, and so much more! This episode is full of so many fun facts that I know Questies like you will think are out of this world! Don't forget to join our STEM Career Quest Club so you can learn even more about what it’s like to be a software engineer at NASA Goddard.

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Meet Aaron Shephard:

Aaron Shepard first fell in love with science while watching astronauts blast off in the Space Shuttle. He dreamed of one day building cool technology while floating in a lab in space. Aaron was devastated to hear NASA announce the end of the Shuttle program during his freshman year of high school. Fearing that the space age was coming to an end, he decided to “grow up” and pursue a more realistic career.

After briefly attending medical school, Aaron decided to chase his childhood dream of working in the space industry. He graduated from Clemson University in 2022 and has since joined the Flight Dynamics team at NASA Goddard as a contractor (a.i. Solutions). Aaron currently develops orbital tracking procedures for the Roman Space Telescope which is scheduled to launch in 2026.

Since changing career paths, Aaron has become an active contributor in the aerospace and science outreach communities. As a lifelong advocate for diversity and inclusion in STEM fields, Aaron has worked with thousands of students through outreach initiatives and public speaking.

Connect with Aaron:

See a Software Engineer at NASA Goddard in Action:

NASA Goddard Software Engineer, Aaron Shepard, working with students in a STEM outreach program.

More About your host, Naomi Meredith

Naomi Meredith is an online K-5 STEM Coach in Colorado supporting elementary teachers world-wide navigate the best practices, strategies and tools out there. With over a decade of experience teaching, 5 years teaching elementary STEM, along with a M.Ed. in STEM Leadership and STEM Certificate, Naomi helps teachers world-wide to navigate best practices, strategies and tools out there.

She offers a variety of tools to help teachers feel successful teaching STEM to their elementary students through lesson plans, online courses, coaching and speaking events.

She truly believes that any teacher out there can learn how to use STEM, innovation and hands-on learning in their classrooms effectively. She can’t wait to connect with you and be your guide!

Connect with the Host, Naomi Meredith:

Check out more inspiration on her website: naomimeredith.com
Listen to her podcast for teachers: The Elementary STEM Coach
Connect with her on Instagram: @naomimeredith_
Watch this episode on her YouTube Channel: Naomi Meredith

More About The STEM Career Quest Podcast

Have you ever found yourself asking this question… “What do I want to be when I grow up?” Maybe you already have an answer to that, maybe you don’t.

Both are ok!

Welcome to the “STEM Career Quest” podcast! A show made for kids like you to help you build your dreams, or even find new ones, in science, technology, engineering and math. Each week, hear captivating stories and interviews to explore the exciting world of STEM. Oh! And grown-ups and teachers, you can listen too!

We’ll talk to experts in STEM who are passionate about what they do in the real-world and how they make a positive impact in their careers. Created and hosted by K-5 STEM Coach, Naomi Meredith, this show will spark your imagination and passions.

Join us each week on our quest to explore the possibilities of careers in STEM, one episode at a time.