Learn about ‘Women and Space Exploration’ at AAUW event

The Batavia-Geneva-St. Charles branch of the American Association of University Women welcomes Michelle Nichols, an Astro Educator who will share her program about women involved with the exploration of space.

Women have been involved in getting people to space for decades. You will learn about several historic, although largely unknown, space trailblazers.

Nichols is an astrophysics educator and director of public observing at the Adler Planetarium in Chicago. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics and Astronomy from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a Master of Education degree from National Louis University. She has presented her vast repertoire of programs to groups throughout the Chicago area over the years and is also the author of “Astronomy Lab for Kids,” which contains lessons and information that are appropriate for “kids of all ages.”

It will be at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 5, in the Van Nortwick Room at Batavia Public Library, 10 S. Batavia Ave.

AAUW is a national, non-partisan, nonprofit organization that has been advocating for women and girls for almost 150 years. They promote fairness and success in education, sports, equal pay, and leadership. For example, they lobby congressional offices on bills and issues that impact women and they support graduate women’s career success through $6 million in grants and fellowships.

The local Batavia, Geneva, St. Charles branch is a state leader in training for the Dignity Index, a method for analyzing the dignity of speech with the goal of changing how people listen, respond and relate to each other. We regularly host interesting speakers that align with our mission for supporting and promoting women.

Additionally, AAUW promotes fellowship among members via social activities such as book groups, outings and games. If you would like more information about the AAUW Branch and activities, email membershipaauw@yahoo.com or visit sites.google.com/site/bgstcaauw/.