It’s Friday again, so we’ve got another recommendation of someone for you to follow on Twitter. This week, I think you should be following Abigail Harrison, because young people are the future, and it’s nice to see one making a difference for science. Oh, and she’s an inspiring figure for girls to look up to in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics)Â fields, which is something we need.
Who she is
You mean, aside from Astronaut Luca Parmitano’s bestie?
As with many of the people we recommend for #FollowFriday, Harrison shares our goal of getting people excited about science and space. However, unlike us, she has the advantage of being comfortable with face-to-face human contact and has used her experiences with her Astronaut mentor, Luca Parmitano, to create her #soyuzadventure outreach program.
Here’s how she does it, courtesy of her website:
In May, 2013 I had the opportunity to attend a legendary Russian Soyuz space launch as a VIP guest of my mentor Astronaut Luca Parmitano. I witnessed Luca’s launch to the International Space Station as well as had an opportunity to get an inside look at the Russian Space Program. This is exciting on it’s own but it’s only the beginning.
I have turned the launch experience into a six month outreach program called the #SoyuzAdventure. I am currently sharing my Soyuz Launch experience as well as sharing my passions for STEM and space exploration with kids and adults around the world. My goal is to ignite passion about human space exploration, STEM education and most importantly the power of dreaming.
I am also serving as Luca’s Earth Liaison and have been helping Luca share his experience living and working in space with kids and adults on earth through social media and my #SoyuzAdventure outreach efforts.
Why you should follow
Because she pals around with astronauts and will probably go to Mars some day? You should follow her, because she’s a great source for interesting information and inspiration. Also, as I mentioned before, she’s a great role model for girls in STEM fields, and the world could use more of that. Unfortunately, you missed her participating in #spacechat yesterday, but if you follow her, you won’t miss stuff like that in the future.
Great Tweets
She’ll keep you on top of all of the latest Mars technology and news.
“Mars Parachute testing with a Rocket Sled” http://t.co/KTPObILt8W
— Abigail Harrison (@AstronautAbby) February 24, 2014
“NASA Mars Orbiters See Clues to Possible Water Flows” http://t.co/I8gzXvLL2Q
— Abigail Harrison (@AstronautAbby) February 25, 2014
She gives TED talks. What were you doing when you were 16?
What’s Your Mars? And how can you create your own #CircleofInspiration? Learn here! http://t.co/0tpjfZFy1n #Soyuzadventure
— Abigail Harrison (@AstronautAbby) December 18, 2013
Solid advice.
“Occasionally look up for meteorites” -advice from my astronomy proff. :p
— Abigail Harrison (@AstronautAbby) February 27, 2014
Mars might not be so bad, actually.
A1 surviving the #polarvortex in #Minnesota … brr, its cold here.. might be warmer on Mars? :) #spacechat
— Abigail Harrison (@AstronautAbby) February 28, 2014
So go ahead and give her a follow—for the future!
(image via @AstronautAbby on Twitter)
