My name is Jenni Sidey
and I’m an astronaut with the Canadian Space
Agency
I did my engineering degree back at McGill
University.
Eventually, I had this really cool professor who
studied fire.
And, I did some combustion experiments in
microgravity
which got me interested in fire and space.
When I was growing up Roberta Bondar was
really important to me.
She's this amazing role model as Canada's first
female astronaut,
inspiring me to pursue a career in science.
I was really fortunate with my mom.
Even though she’s not from a scientific
background,
she did everything that she could to encourage
me
to look at science subjects and keep exploring.
That was really special.
I was really into rocks when I was little.
I had a spreadsheet, I had a labelling system,
I carried around vinegar with me to test whether
rocks were limestone. But like, everywhere.
Jen was like “Ah, I’m gonna go collect rocks on
Mars”.
So I held the rocks, and we collected… right? …
we collected rocks.
That was so wonderful, so…
Just anything to kind of encourage that,
and I think I benefitted from that enormously.
So it isn’t just the role model but it was also this
encouragement I had at home from my mom.
Being a role model is very important to me
because I’m in a very male dominated
environment.
So, for my students, trying to encourage them
and act as a role model if I can, just to inform
and inspire.
That’s really important to me.
You see those sparks.
You see that interest. You see that growth.
I think every child deserves to live their dream.
I truly believe that if you study subjects like
science, engineering, technology, mathematics
or medicine,
you can earn the skills that you need to become
whatever you want.
Even if what you want is to become an
astronaut.