Barbara Radding Morgan
- Born:
- November 28, 1951, Fresno, California, USA
- Nationality:
- American
- Profession(s):
- Teacher, Astronaut
Early Life and Education
- Graduated from Herbert Hoover High School in Fresno, California in 1969.
- Received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Human Biology from Stanford University in 1973.
- Earned a teaching credential from Notre Dame de Namur University in 1974.
Career and Major Achievements
- Taught elementary school on the Flathead Indian Reservation at Arlee Elementary School in Arlee, Montana (1974-1975).
- Taught second and third grade at McCall-Donnelly Elementary School in McCall, Idaho (1975-1978).
- Taught grades second through fifth at McCall-Donnelly Elementary School (1979-1998).
- Selected by NASA as the Teacher in Space Project candidate in 1985.
- Became a fully trained mission specialist astronaut after the Challenger disaster, officially joining NASA's Astronaut Corps in 1998.
- Served as a mission specialist on STS-118, a Space Shuttle mission to the International Space Station in August 2007.
- During STS-118, Barbara Radding Morgan, now a fully fledged astronaut, participated in multiple spacewalks and educational outreach events from orbit. This mission brought a new segment to the ISS and demonstrated key technologies. While interest in items such as
barbara morgan astronaut autographs
spiked during and after her flight, her greater achievement was inspiring the next generation of scientists and educators. - Retired from NASA in 2008.
- Distinguished Educator in Residence, Boise State University (2008–2016).
Notable Works
- Educational outreach programs conducted from space during the STS-118 mission.
- Public speaking engagements promoting science and education.
- Active engagement in STEM education initiatives post-retirement.
Legacy and Impact
Barbara Morgan's career bridged the gap between education and space exploration. She inspired countless students to pursue careers in STEM fields and demonstrated the importance of education in achieving ambitious goals. Her work continues to resonate within the educational and scientific communities.