LEBO NATIVE GETS NASA GRANT Interested in pursuing a career with NASA or other space organizations? Then, you might want to explore the NASA L’Space program, a free, online, interactive experience open to undergraduate STEM students who want to work for NASA or other space organizations.

Just ask 2020 Mt. Lebanon High School and University of Colorado Boulder graduate Anna Klein. She completed the NASA Proposal Writing and Evaluation Experience Academy, one of two 12-week L’Space academies providing hands-on learning from industry professionals
as students complete mission-related team projects.

Klein’s team was awarded $10,000 to fund their Large-Scale Automated Microgravity Plant System (LAMPS), an innovative space irrigation system. Usually, NASA only chooses one project to receive a $10,000 grant. This year, Klein’s team was one of three awarded the prize.

Klein’s interest in space developed in high school. “It’s just a very STEM-based program. It really pushed me into wanting to do something in science. I mean, not many schools have early engineering classes where you get to use laser cutters and 3D printers,” she pointed out.

Her ultimate goal is space travel. “I hope to be able to apply to the astronaut candidate program and be selected to be an astronaut, but I will also accept working for NASA or working for LAMPS long term in ground based research,” she said.

Since LAMPS’ funding will end after this year, Klein’s team is looking ahead to the future. “We’ve been given the go-ahead to become kind of our own thing,” she said. “We’re more than welcome to start our own business. Initially, they just give us a little seed money to get started. We’re currently looking for new hires.”

On Veterans Day, the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution honored MacArthur Drive resident Randolph Hass with the Bronze Good Citizenship Medal for his dedicated work honoring veterans through Bugles Across America. For several years now, Hass plays Taps in the evenings in Mt. Lebanon Cemetery. He also plays at military funerals.  Read more about Hass’s nightly offering at lebomag.com/a-trumpet-tribute.

Amanda Gillen, Scrubgrass Road, has been named interim executive director of the Frick Pittsburgh Museums and Gardens. Gillen, formerly the Frick’s director of learning and visitor experience, was part of the design team for the Frick’s recent expansion. She is a member of the board of the Mid-Atlantic Association of Museums and an adjunct professor at Duquesne University. Gillen is also the president of the Historical Society of Mount Lebanon.