Esteemed astronaut, geoscience professor and afrofuturism artist, Dr Sian Proctor has landed in South Africa and will tour Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban until Monday 12 August, engaging with school children and the public to share her passion for space, STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) and art.
On her tour in the Mother City, Proctor will be hosted by Somerset College, where she will be giving a presentation on Thursday 8 August from 18:00 to 21:00.
Proctor is a trailblazer in the field of space exploration and art. She is the chief inspiration astronaut for Space2inspire and the founder of The Proctor Foundation for Art and Science. As the mission pilot for SpaceX Inspiration4, the first all-civilian orbital mission, she made history as the first female commercial astronaut spaceship pilot and the only African American woman to hold this title. She is also celebrated as the first African-American to paint in space.
In her role as a member of the National Space Council Users’ Advisory Group and one of The Explorer’s Club 50, Proctor is dedicated to fostering a just, equitable, diverse and inclusive (J.E.D.I.) space both on earth and beyond. Her unique collage art style combines real-world concepts with futuristic themes, aiming to spark conversations about the role of women of colour in the space industry.
Proctor’s visit is part of the annual Living Maths Space Tour, arranged by Living Maths, an organisation committed to making STEAM exciting and inspiring for students. During her tour, Proctor will engage with students through interactive sessions, share her experiences from her space mission, and discuss how space exploration can address critical issues on earth.
“We are excited to welcome Dr Sian Proctor to South Africa,” said Steve Sherman, Living Maths chief imagination officer. “Her remarkable journey and inspiring message will undoubtedly ignite the curiosity and aspirations of many young minds here.”
In addition to her achievements in space, Proctor is an advocate for sustainable food practices and has published the “Meals for Mars Cookbook”. She also has published a Space Colouring Journal and Art of Inspiration poetry book. Her educational outreach includes numerous international speaking engagements, TEDx talks, and participation in various scientific and exploration initiatives.
Locals are welcome for an unforgettable opportunity to meet Proctor and be inspired by her extraordinary story of perseverance, creativity, and exploration.
- For more information, please visit http://www.livingmaths.com.
- UP FOR GRABS! Living Maths is giving away double tickets to two DistrictMail & Helderberg Gazette readers to attend the public presentation. To stand a chance at clinching the tickets, interested individuals can email the word “astronaut” followed by their name and surname with a short motivation to editor@districtmail.com before 12:00 on Monday 5 August.
