For Immediate Release – EDMONDS, WA – Creating new futures will be the theme of the day at the TEDxSnoIsleLibraries event on November 6, 2015. Astronaut Dorothy “Dottie” Metcalf-Lindenburger, a member of The Mars Generation advisory board, will be joining nearly two dozen speakers who will spark deep discussions and foster connections.

The TEDxSnoIsleLibraries speaker lineup includes innovators, artists and thinkers from the region, each presenting 5-18 minute talks about the theme of the day “Creating New Futures.” Metcalf-Lindenburger’s TEDx talk will focus on how each of us can play a role in getting humans to Mars.

“While much of the work will be done by today’s youth, who will eventually be the ones to set foot on the planet, there is still work to be done by the current generation,” said Metcalf-Lindenburger. “This will include building the space craft that will get us to Mars, as well as solving many of the problems that prevent humans from traveling there today such as radiation and travel time.”

Metcalf-Lindenburger sees the need for engaging others as mentors and advocates for STEM and space exploration, initiatives she is working on with The Mars Generation.

“A lot of kids aren’t necessarily interested in science and math, but they do get excited about things like the Mars rovers, Spirit and Opportunity,” she says, referring to the need for continued STEM outreach. “I want to build more connections with the community and encourage their interest in studying science.”

In 2004, Metcalf-Lindenburger was chosen to be part of NASA’s Astronaut Corps. She served as a flight engineer for an International Space Station resupply mission, and served as the commander of NASA’s Extreme Environment Mission Operation (NEEMO) in the Aquarius Reef Habitat off the Florida coast in June 2012. Metcalf-Lindenburger retired from the Astronaut Corps last year, and is currently pursuing her Master’s Degree in Geology.

“I knew it was time for me to leave NASA, and this is a great way for me to transition and inspire the next generation.”

TED began in 1984 as a conference where Technology, Entertainment and Design converged. Today it is a nonprofit organization devoted to spreading ideas, usually in the form of short, powerful talks covering almost all topics — from science to business to global issues — in more than 100 languages.

The TEDx Program evolved to help communities, organizations and individuals to spark conversation and connection through local TED-like experiences. At TEDxevents, a screening of TED Talks videos — or a combination of live presenters and TED Talks videos — sparks deep conversation and connections at the local level. TEDx events are planned and coordinated independently, under a free license granted by TED.

For information about attending TEDxSnoIsleLibraries or watching the event live online, go to www.sno-isle.org/tedx.

Follow Astronaut Dorothy Metcalf-Lindenburger on Twitter at @AstroDot and with hashtags #TEDxSIL and #creatingnewfutures.

For interviews with Dorothy Metcalf-Lindenburger email GroundSupport (at) TheMarsGeneration.Org.