Environmental Science Center Dedicated to Sally Ride
Ride’s family, elected officials, students, and members of the community were all present for the dedication.
The center will provide an environment for LAUSD teachers to learn about the latest in science, technology, research, art and math. The laboratory is equipped with world-class equipment and hands-on technology. The purpose is to help teachers learn how they can be better at their jobs.
Ride died at the age of 61 in La Jolla in July of pancreatic cancer.
Famously known as the first American woman in space, Ride was a part of the crew for space shuttle Challenger in 1983. She was 32 at the time. After her flight, more than 42 women flew in space, according to NASA.
“Sally was a national hero and a powerful role model. She inspired generations of young girls to reach for the stars and later fought tirelessly to help them get there by advocating for a greater focus on science and math in our schools,” President Obama said in a statement.
Ride was a physicist, writer of five science books for children and president of her own company. She was also a professor of physics at the University of California in San Diego.
She was selected as an astronaut candidate in the same year she earned her doctorate in physics from Stanford University.
