Earth & Space Science Educators Conference 2025 – Guest Speakers Confirmed for Astrobiology 2025
- Lian Soh
- Jul 26
- 5 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
The Earth and Space Science Educators association is proud to officially announce the four confirmed international guests from the USA who will be joining us for the inaugural Earth and Space Science Educators Conference, taking place at Mount Maunganui College on Monday 22 and Tuesday 23 September.
A huge thank you to the New Zealand Astrobiology Network for securing the funding to make this possible – it’s a rare and exciting opportunity to host such outstanding science communicators and researchers here in Aotearoa.
If you're a teacher in the Bay of Plenty, please know that you don’t need to be teaching Earth and Space Science to attend. You’re welcome to come for one or both days.
Monday’s Waimangu field session is $110, and you’ll need to register using the form here: Registration Form
Tuesday’s talks and sessions at Mount Maunganui College are free to attend. Just send an email to Jim Critchley (jimc@mmc.school.nz) to confirm your spot.
Below, you’ll find short bios for each of our guest speakers, and related posts at the bottom of this page.
Dr. Mitch Schulte (NASA)
We’re honoured to welcome Dr Mitch Schulte, Program Scientist in NASA’s Mars Exploration Program at NASA Headquarters, to New Zealand this September for our Ten Years of Astrobiology event!
Mitch Schulte is the Principal Science Adviser of the New Zealand Astrobiology Network and a long-time supporter of astrobiology in New Zealand.
Mitch Schulte is the NASA Mars mission science lead. He oversees scientific content across multiple flagship Mars missions—the Perseverance (Mars 2020) rover, Opportunity, and the U.S. contribution to ESA/Roscosmos’s ExoMars rover (MOMA instrument).
In addition, Mitch is a field astrobiologist; his research spans hydrothermal systems—deep-sea vents, Yellowstone, Iceland, Californian ophiolites—and ancient microfossil sites in Western Australia, focusing on geochemistry, biosignatures, and the potential for life detection.
Mitch is also a scientific community contributor; he leads the Mars Data Analysis and Habitable Worlds Programs, serves as editor for the Astrobiology journal, and holds advisory roles on interagency ocean exploration and scientific drilling.
Mitch can trace life-detection science from Earth’s extreme environments to the instruments on Mars rovers designed to find signs of past or present life.
Dr. Sanjoy Som (CEO, Blue Marble Space)
Dr. Som is a scientist, engineer, and social entrepreneur, passionate about space exploration and astrobiology, and how these disciplines can increase STEM awareness and excitement among the public.
To translate this passion into solutions, he founded and is the CEO of the 501c3 non-profit Blue Marble Space. In this role, he was also the founding host of NASA’s ongoing “Ask an Astrobiologist” video interview series.
Equipped with degrees in both engineering and physical science, and certificates in astrobiology and innovation & entrepreneurship, Dr. Som is a versatile Earth system scientist and aerospace engineer interested in interdisciplinary approaches to scientific problems. He has substantial geological field work and numerical & geochemical modelling experience, and has been actively involved with NASA space biology payloads to the ISS as a systems engineer.
With a passion for science communication, Dr. Som strives to bring the wonders of science to the interested public. In 2018, he joined the first cohort of scientists selected by the American Geophysical Union as "Voices for Science" ambassadors. His current research activities include quantifying the link between environmental geochemistry and bioenergetics in subsurface ecosystems.
Dr. Graham Lau (Blue Marble Space)
Dr. Graham Lau—aka “the Cosmobiologist”— is coming to New Zealand this September as part of our Ten Years of Astrobiology in New Zealand event series!
Graham is an astrobiologist & science communicator: As Director of Communications & Marketing for Blue Marble Space and a Senior Research Investigator at the Blue Marble Space Institute of Science, Graham bridges science, community engagement, and education in realms of space exploration and looking for alien life.
Host extraordinaire: He’s a prominent host of NASA’s “Ask an Astrobiologist” show and has appeared on TEDx stages, including TEDx Boulder in 2024.
Geomicrobiologist: His graduate work focused on sulphur-rich springs in the Canadian High Arctic, identifying unique sulphur species and exploring their biological implications for life on Mars, Europa, and beyond.
Graham’s research meets real-world impact: Graham’s Arctic field studies uncovered rare geological and mineralogical phenomena—like beta- and gamma-cyclooctasulfur—and their microbial connections while informing extraterrestrial life detection strategies. He is a fantastic science storyteller: from museum exhibits to podcasts (e.g., “Profoundly Pointless”) and global livestreams, he makes complex astrobiology accessible and inspiring (check out his latest TEDx talk on the Panzozic Effect!). Last but not least, among his extraordinary achievements, Graham guides communications at Blue Marble Space, supports programs like the Young Scientist Program, and spearheads student expeditions through the Smithsonian and National Geographic, all while engaging with people around the globe in conversations about science and our place in the cosmos.
Sarah Marcotte (NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory)
We’re thrilled to welcome Sarah Marcotte, an experienced public engagement specialist for NASA, to New Zealand for our event, From Aotearoa to the Origins of Life: Ten Years of Astrobiology celebration this September!
Sarah Marcotte is currently NASA STEM Engagement Network group lead, based at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. She leads NASA's Solar System Ambassadors Program, managing a US nationwide network of over 1,240 volunteer ambassadors who engage communities across classrooms, museums, planetariums, and media with the latest in space exploration and discoveries.
Prior to this role, Sarah was a public engagement specialist in Mars and planetary missions. She regularly hosted major JPL public events, such as retrospectives on the Curiosity rover’s decade on Mars and updates on the Ingenuity helicopter, making complex mission details engaging and accessible. In addition, as a museum-based educator, Sarah frequently represents JPL at planetarium exhibits and outreach weekends.
An experienced public moderator, Sarah co-hosted virtual sessions on InSight, Mars quakes, and more, serving as a moderator or co-host and bringing together technical experts and public audiences. Her work bridges research and public curiosity. Having framed major public-facing events about JPL’s Mars missions, she brings a valuable perspective on how NZ audiences can connect with ongoing solar system exploration.
Ngā mihi Ngā mihi nui to Jim Critchley (ESSENZ Regional Representative) for sharing this pānui with Bay Science and for supplying the accompanying images. Your mahi in supporting Earth and Space Science education in Aotearoa is greatly appreciated.
We also acknowledge ESSENZ – Earth and Space Science Educators of New Zealand – for their ongoing leadership, tautoko for kaiako, and commitment to building a strong community of Earth and Space Science educators across the motu. In the event of any errors, or if you would like to submit an article, please reach out to info@bayscience.nz |
