AAUW presents planetary science speaker

FALLBROOK – It was off to outer space for members and guests at the annual AAUW Education Foundation/Legal Advocacy Fund Tea this month when speaker Amanda Hendrix, Ph.D, spoke about her work as a planetary scientist.

Dr. Hendrix, who works for Jet Propulsion Laboratory, addressed the latest group of Tech Trekkers to inspire the possibilities of careers in the sciences. Hendrix spoke about her journey to become involved with outer space from the time she was in the third grade. Her project, a diorama of the solar system was displayed, and from there she described the educational path she traveled to her present career researching ultraviolet spectroscopy of planetary surfaces.

The presentation included photos of Saturn and its many moons, one of which was her favorite for its unique configuration.

This past summer’s Tech Trek recipients each spoke of her experiences while at science camp at the University of California, San Diego. Tech Trek is funded by the Fallbrook American Association of University Women with money earned from the annual Country Garden Tour of Fallbrook in May. The camp features a week-long science program for in the various fields pertaining to the sciences with many hands on experiences. The students are recommended by their teachers.

Also in attendance was Wallace Tucker, PhD, an astrophysicist working on the Hubble Space Project and director and founding member of the Fallbrook Land Conservancy and a long time family friend of the Hendrix’s.

This program and tea was organized by AAUW members Barbara Ajello and Grace VanderWerf.

AAUW welcomes corporate and local businesses to sponsor a scholarship of $750 to send one girl to camp Tech Trek. Tech Trek chair Susan Nelson may be contacted at 760-451-9532.