Deputy Secretary of Education Cindy Marten to Provide Keynote Remarks at International Space Station Research and Development Conference

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA (D.C.), June 28, 2022 – The 2022 International Space Station Research and Development Conference(Abbreviation: ISSRDC) The only conference dedicated exclusively to showcasing how the International Space Station is advancing science and technology and enabling a robust and sustainable market in LEO. This annual conference brings together leaders from the commercial sector, U.S. government agencies, and academic communities to foster innovation and discovery onboard the space station. ISSRDC is hosted by the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space, manager of the ISS National Lab; NASA; and the American Astronautical Society. (ISSRDC) will include a luncheon keynote session featuring Deputy Secretary of Education Cindy Marten. In her keynote address, taking place on Tuesday, July 26, Marten will discuss the critical importance of pushing boundaries through education to prepare the workforce of tomorrow for the future and how the space station can play a key role in furthering educational opportunities for all.

ISSRDC is hosted by the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space, Inc., manager of the International Space Station (ISSInternational Space Station) National Laboratory; NASANational Aeronautics and Space Administration; and the American Astronautical Society. The conference will take place July 25-28, 2022, at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, D.C. This is the only conference specifically dedicated to highlighting research and development opportunities available onboard the space station. ISSRDC connects leaders and innovators to showcase how space-based research and technology development is contributing scientific knowledge to humanity while also building commerce in low Earth orbit(Abbreviation: LEO) The orbit around the Earth that extends up to an altitude of 2,000 km (1,200 miles) from Earth’s surface. The International Space Station’s orbit is in LEO, at an altitude of approximately 250 miles..

The space station also serves as an incredible learning platform capable of inspiring the next generation of explorers. Over the years, students have launched investigations of their own to the orbiting outpost while educators leverage curriculum that demonstrates the differences between conducting investigations in low Earth orbit versus Earth-based conditions.  

Marten has a distinguished career in education, most recently as the superintendent of the San Diego Unified School District. In 32 years as an educator and author, she has increased graduation rates and championed award-winning policies for staff and students.

“We are honored that Deputy Secretary Marten will join us at ISSRDC this year in Washington, D.C.,” said Samantha Thorstensen, director of educational programs for the ISS National Laboratory. “The ISS National Lab has placed a heavy emphasis on enabling students to utilize the ISS, one of humankind’s greatest technological and learning achievements. Educational initiatives using this dynamic platform inspire our future leaders and provide educators with tools to advance science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education. We look forward to Deputy Secretary Marten’s remarks on how the Department of Education is looking at innovative pathways that lead students to successful careers in STEM-related fields.”

Registration for ISSRDC is now open. To learn more about the conference, including how to attend in person, please visit www.issconference.org.

Media Contact:
Patrick O’Neill
904-806-0035
PONeill@ISSNationalLab.org

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About the International Space Station (ISS) National Laboratory: The International Space Station (ISS) is a one-of-a-kind laboratory that enables research and technology development not possible on Earth. As a public service enterprise, the ISS National Lab allows researchers to leverage this multiuser facility to improve life on Earth, mature space-based business models, advance science literacy in the future workforce, and expand a sustainable and scalable market in low Earth orbit. Through this orbiting national laboratory, research resources on the ISS are available to support non-NASA science, technology and education initiatives from U.S. government agencies, academic institutions, and the private sector. The Center for the Advancement of Science in Space, Inc. (CASIS(Abbreviation: CASIS™) The nonprofit organization that manages the ISS National Lab, which receives at least 50 percent of the U.S. research allocation on the International Space Station to facilitate research that benefits humanity (NASA manages the other 50% and focuses on research for space exploration purposes).) manages the ISS National Lab, under Cooperative AgreementA cooperative agreement is Federal assistance that establishes a relationship between the U.S. Government and a recipient in which the principal purpose of the relationship is to accomplish a public purpose of support or stimulation.  Since 2011, the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space™ (CASIS™) has managed the National Laboratory® through a Cooperative Agreement with NASA. with NASA, facilitating access to its permanent microgravityThe condition of perceived weightlessness created when an object is in free fall, for example when an object is in orbital motion. Microgravity alters many observable phenomena within the physical and life sciences, allowing scientists to study things in ways not possible on Earth. The International Space Station provides access to a persistent microgravity environment. research environment, a powerful vantage point in low Earth orbit, and the extreme and varied conditions of space. To learn more about the ISS National Lab, visit issnationallab.org.

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