NASA’s Chief Scientist, Ellen Stofan, is an advocate for attracting more women and minorities to STEM careers. There remains a concerning gap between the number of white men (predominant), and women and minorities in STEM career fields, and there is a call to action to change the public rhetoric surrounding who “can” and “cannot” succeed in STEM career paths. What’s Dr. Stofan’s advice to youth exploring STEM career options? “Try stuff. A class that may not look fun, try it. That’s how I figured out what I want to do. Talk to people, explore internships. With the Internet, really poke around, and don’t be limited.”

Access the full Q&A with Ellen Stofan here.