Whatcom County 4-Her is NASA Bound!
By Betsy Fradd WSU Extension 4-H
Erin Weisenhorn likes challenging and unique opportunities. When thinking about what she wanted to do this summer Erin brainstormed her talents and interests and decided working for NASA would be her dream job. She is also a planner. In the spring of 2009 Erin, 18, researched and found NASA’s INSPIRE year-round online program for students interested in science, technology, engineering, and math.
In addition to her senior year classes at Windward High School in Ferndale, Erin took part in NASA’s educational community.
“I did labs, quizzes, projects, and online lectures,” said Erin. “Each of the activities lets you accumulate points which are part of the selection process of summer interns.”
Erin will be working in the bioengineering department at Ames Research Center in Los Altos, California.
“The department is engineering a mimic of a cellulosome, an enzyme complex, which degrades cellulose, the material in plant cell walls and one of the most abundant carbohydrate polymers,” explained Erin. “The cellulose is degraded to glucose which can be fermented to produce ethanol, a very promising alternative fuel source.”
A NASA researcher will teach Erin lab procedures, review her work, and mentor her during her two-month paid position.
In the fall Erin is be attending Reed College in Oregon where she plans on pursing a science degree.
”I enjoy the creative problem solving and the possibility of a career where I can be working outside,” said Erin. “There is also the possibility of a lot of different careers that revolve around public service. I want to find a job doing something I believe in.”
Posted May 2010
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