Malica Schmidt

Outreach

Educational outreach is crucial to support future generations and inspire them to work in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines. I am determined to promote a keen interest in these disciplines, with an emphasis on engaging students, particularly among girls and students in rural areas. Below are some of my main outreach activities. If you would like to get in contact to schedule an outreach activity at your school or university:

Contact me

Credit: ESA/NASA

10 German schools participated in our DLR/ESA Citizen Science Project "Touching Surfaces". The students took part in a classroom lecture from the International Space Station by ESA astronaut Matthias Maurer and conducted the same experiments on our Touch Arrays and the NIMFS as the astronaut for 15 weeks. As part of the project, I gave a talk the teachers and students. For more information on the project, read here (2021-2022).

UNOOSA 's Access to Space for All raises awareness about the benefits of space technology for the UN Sustainable Development Goals. This webinar series on microgravity/ hypergravity provides educational resources including 45 speakers from 40 entities in 13 nations, including me, reaching >1,800 individuals. More information on the webinars can be accessed here (May 2021).

Credit: Hope Byrd

I participated with the analogue astronaut crew and NASA astronaut Gregory Chamitoff in an outreach activity with 150 Texas A&M University students. This event occurred from inside the Surtshellir lava tube in Iceland during the CHILL-ICE II analog mission, organised by ICEE.Space (July 2022). Read below for more information on the mission:

Here

During COVID-19, we shared this interview on the online website of the Burgate School and 6th Form , reaching around 1,000 students. The interview with Matt Cakebread, Burgate's Community, Enrichment and Career's Head, included my research and career path to bring excitement in these uncertain times (May 2020).

Outreach activity with 5 groups of underprivileged high school pupils during In2ScienceUK Virtual Placement Program

I guided and supported five groups of underprivileged high school pupils in their career choices and empowered them to achieve their goals and dreams. These outreach activities was part of the In2ScienceUK Virtual Placement Program (July 2020).

During the World Extreme Medicine talk "Why the Journey Matters", hosted by Shawna Pandya, I shared my experience and career path. The video can be accessed here in the Space Medicine section by members only. My Fellowship in Extreme Wilderness Medicine (FEWM) profile can be accessed here.

During "Bio+Climate+Space", organised by Women in 3D Printing and Immersive Kind, we discussed how additive manufacturing solutions to space exploration be used to help address the climate crisis back here on Earth. This webinar took part online, reaching >100 school students. More information on the event can be accessed here (April 2020).

Discover how we at University College London's Centre for Nature-Inspired Engineering turn discoveries into solutions in "How is Nature-Inspired Engineering" and find out how our research helps to change the world we experience. The video includes research on the NIMFS and has been accessed >550 times. Read more about me on the CNIE website here and more on the series here (November 2022).

Nature engineering solution providers were brought together with industry problem holders that could benefit from "Nature Inspired Solutions", organised by Knowledge Transfer Network in London. The program can be found here. One of such solutions are the NIMF, which are shown from 53:25 min onwards. This video has been watched >1,200 time (July 2019).

During University College London's Space Week, organised by the Space Domain in London, I was the chair for our flagship debate on "Settling on Mars is essential for the future of humanity". We had six guest speakers and around 60 participants actively voting for or against the motion. The video can be accessed here (November 2021).

Outreach activity to architecture students and professionals at the Royal Institute of British Architects

I presented my research to architecture students and professionals at the Architects Underground venue at the Royal Institute of British Architects in London. More information about the program and past speakers can be found here.

Symposium "A Design of a Scalable Framework for Lunar Habitats"

Credit: Hassel Studio

The symposium on "A Design of a Scalable Framework for Lunar Habitats", organised by Hassel Studio in London, brought together interdisciplinary experts to discuss challenges and solutions around advancing humanity towards becoming an interplanetary species. More information on the program can be found here (May 2022).

STEM Training and Certifications

Awaiting for the completion of the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
STEM Ambassador induction

Teaching and Mentoring

University College London (UCL), London, UK

Postgraduate Teaching Assistant

Lectured in 2 Master modules, M.Sc. “Smart Cities and Urban Analytics” and M.Eng. “Nature-
Inspired Engineering” with my own research material
Evaluated the project milestones, reviewed, and marked theses of 25+ students
Provided laboratory demonstrations to visiting professors, researchers, and Master students
Participated in the Gateway workshop course for better learning and teaching

Supervisor

Supervised 2 M.Eng. students in Chemical Engineering on their theses “Optimised Shapes
and Forms of Multifunctional Microstructures” as part of my Ph.D. research
Taught COMSOL in weekly face-to-face meetings and mentored the students in personal
and professional career development