“When I was asked if I wanted the chance to come to NASA and be an astronaut, you know of course I wasn’t going to say no to that childhood dream, but it was a little bittersweet because you realize you have to give up this other part of your life that you had worked so hard and really enjoy.”
Meir, who was studying the physiology of animals in extreme environments before NASA, encouraged the girls to take advantage of opportunities in the category of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics).
STEM opportunities can be explored through Transportation YOU, a hands-on, interactive mentoring program that offers girls an introduction to a wide variety of transportation careers traditionally dominated by men. It offers free monthly events to young women interested in the transportation industry.
WTS, which was founded in 1977 as the Women’s Transportation Seminar, is the primary organization getting women involved in the industry. Transportation YOU focuses on ages 13 to 18.
Along with guest speakers, tours and mentorships, WTS sponsors the DC Summit, which gives high school students the opportunity to meet college representatives, senior administration officials and tour the White House, DC Metro and transportation hubs.
Michael Book, community outreach coordinator for Valley Metro, explained how to get involved.
“For Transportation YOU, you don’t have to be a member of WTS,” he said. “You can basically just join the calls, especially with them just being online, and if you’re an active student doing that, it would qualify the student for the Washington DC Summit.”
Women in Transportation, which is the WTS’ metropolitan Phoenix chapter, hosts monthly events and programs to encourage networking and professional development.