Astronaut, Educator, Earth Scientist
– United States Astronaut, retired – Mission Specialist on STS-131; Time in space totaling 15 days 2 hours 47 minutes
– Commander of NASA Extreme Environment Mission Operations (NEEMO) 16, living and diving for 12 days at the Aquarius Habitat
– Former high school Earth science and astronomy teacher; former high school cross country and Science Olympiad coach
– One of 4 Educator-Astronauts to fly in Space
– Received two internships through the Keck Geology Consortium; mapped for five weeks outside of Yellowstone National Park, and for five weeks in the Wet Mountains of Colorado
– First Space Camp Alumna to fly in space; Member of the Space Camp Hall of Fame
– Academic All-American for Cross Country and Track NAIA Division 1995 and 1996; !996 NAIA Conference Champion in the 10K
For more information on booking Astronaut Dottie Metcalf-Lindenburger for speaking engagements or events please contact us here
Biography
Dottie Metcalf-Lindenburger was born and raised along the Front Range of Colorado. A scholar athlete, she ran cross-country and track for Whitman College, in Walla Walla, WA, and graduated with honors and a degree in Geology. After attending Whitman College, she received her teaching certification from Central Washington University, and she went on to teach for five years at Hudson’s Bay High School in Vancouver, WA. In addition to teaching, she coached cross country and Science Olympiad.
In June of 2004, she joined NASA and the Astronaut Corps. After several years of training, she was assigned to the STS-131 crew, an International Space Station (ISS) resupply mission, and flew as Mission Specialist 2 (also known as the flight engineer). She also served as a robotic arm operator, the Intra-vehicular crew member (the inside coordinator of the spacewalks), and a transfer crew member (helping move six tons of hardware and equipment). The mission lasted fifteen days.
During June of 2012, Dottie commanded the NASA Extreme Environment Mission Operation (NEEMO) in the Aquarius Reef Habitat off the Florida coast. The underwater mission sought to develop techniques for working at a near-earth asteroid while working under a 100-second time delay.
In June of 2014, Dottie retired from the Astronaut Corps and returned to the Pacific Northwest with her family. She is finishing her MS in geology at the University of Washington, and she continues to speak and promote Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) education.
Awards & Honors Include
• TEDxRainier speaker (2014)
• Subaru Outdoor Life Lecturer at GSA’s National Meeting in Denver (2013)
• Space Flight Medal for STS-131 (2010)
• Honored as a great Federal Employee by the U.S. Senate on April 20, 2010
• Duncan Bonjorni Extraordinary Achievement Award from Central Washington University (2010)
• Pete Reid Award for Young Alumni from Whitman College (2009)
• VIP for the Vancouver School District (2004)
• 1999 Outstanding Teacher Preparation Candidate at Central Washington University
• 1997 Whitman College Leed’s Geology Award
• 1997 Whitman College Order of the Waiilatpu
• 1996 GSA Field Camp Award
• 1995–1996 NAIA Academic All-American in Cross Country and Track
• 1996 NAIA Conference Champion in the 10K.
Organizational Involvement Includes
• Association of Environmental and Engineering Geologists (AEG)
• Geologic Society of America (GSA)
• Phi Beta Kappa
• P.E.O. International
Speaking Points Include
• Daring to Dream Big and working hard for your passion
• Life in Space; Life Underwater
• Leadership and Followership: a good leader does both
• Mentee and Mentor
