MARTA BOHN-MEYER
Marta Bohn-Meyer, former chief engineer at the NASA Dryden Flight Research
Center, is the namesake of the Bohn-Meyer Math and Science Odyssey.
Marta, who died in the crash of a private plane September 18, 2005,
was a staunch supporter of the event. She was a regular speaker, motivating
and inspiring students to dream big and pursue those dreams! She brought
the NASA Mission Control workshop and the F/A-18 flyover to the workshop.
Two of Marta’s passions were aviation and encouraging young women
to become involved in the sciences.
Marta was an aerobatic pilot
for the US Unlimited Team, as well as one of two women to ever fly
in the SR-71 blackbird. Marta attended Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
in Troy, New York, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in
Aeronautical Engineering. While in college, Marta participated in the
university-NASA cooperative education program at NASA's Langley Research
Center in Hampton, Virginia. Upon graduation, Marta began her professional
career at NASA Dryden as a junior
engineer.
Marta's advice to young people was to be sure that they go
through life doing something they want to do. She advised people to
find a hobby - and turn it into a profession if possible. If that is
not possible, keep the hobby for personal growth. Marta considered
her hobby of flying her passion as well. She also advised that if opportunity
knocks, you should open the door AND go through! Never look back and
say you made the wrong decision, it's not worth the time. Just learn
from your mistakes and move on. Most importantly, Marta stressed that
you should try to be involved in the things that you like to do. 