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 in Arlee, Montana, from 1974 to 1975.
- Taught second and third grades in McCall-Donnelly Elementary School in McCall, Idaho, from 1975 to 1978.
- Taught grades two through five in McCall-Donnelly Elementary School from 1979 to 1998.
- Selected by NASA as the Teacher in Space Project candidate in 1985.
- Following the Challenger disaster, she continued to work with NASA in educational roles.
- Officially designated as a Mission Specialist in 1998.
- Served as a mission specialist on STS-118, launched on August 8, 2007.
- STS-118 was a mission to the International Space Station, during which she operated the Space Station Remote Manipulator System and participated in educational events from orbit.
Notable Works
- Participated in numerous NASA educational outreach programs, demonstrating science and space to students.
- Made history by being the first educator to travel to space specifically as an educator.
Legacy and Impact
Barbara Morgan holds a unique place in the history of space exploration, demonstrating the importance of education and inspiring countless students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Her contributions extend beyond the classroom and into the realm of space exploration, where she has served as a role model for aspiring astronauts and educators alike. Items such as signed photographs often become sought-after keepsakes; many collectors actively seek out barbara morgan astronaut autographs as tangible reminders of her significant contributions.