Sisters Science Club blasts off with NASA

Gabe Gabrielle is a believer - in the magic of believing in yourself.

The former director of engineering for the U.S. Air Force's Special Operations Command, Gabrielle is currently assigned to NASA's Speakers Bureau. Using NASA's space program as his vehicle, Gabrielle's motivational message "To Infinity and Beyond" will launch the Frontiers in Science lecture series on Tuesday, September 26, at 7 p.m. at The Belfry.

Gabrielle is noted for his inspirational talks, not only for scientists and other space "junkies," but also for his ability to connect with students. During his stay in Central Oregon, he will visit with classes at Sisters High School, speak at all-school assemblies at Sisters middle and elementary schools, and appear at schools in Redmond and Bend.

Gabrielle has traveled the world for NASA. He has been at Kennedy Space Center as a contractor for NASA as an engineering programmer for approximately 17 years; a member of NASA's Disability Awareness And Action Working Group improving the work environment for personnel who are differently abled; and a member of NASA's Speakers Bureau for the last 10 years.

Known as "Gabe" to all who meet him, his job as an engineer programmer was to identify solutions for repairs to bridges, roads, mechanical systems, roofs, and elevators.

"The greatest part of this job was it gave me access to everything ... launch complexes, Launch Control Center, the Vehicle Assembly Building, the Orbiter Processing Facilities, the Space Station Processing Facility, the Mars Simulation Testing Area ... NASA and the Kennedy Space Center are simply magical," Gabe says, brimming with enthusiasm.

Gabrielle uses that "magic" to encourage his listeners to dream big dreams, to inspire them to embrace life, and to show that learning can be more fun than they ever imagined.

Dedicated to promoting the STEAM curriculum - Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics. Gabrielle uses his NASA experience to promote creativity in science in the United States and around the world.

"In March I was invited to Brazil, supporting a weeklong event by participating in Science Fairs and Expos, promoting STEAM," Gabrielle reports. "It was simply amazing. We spoke with close to 7,000 students and their parents over a 6-day period. I found the Brazilian students and their parents to be awesome. So caring, so enthusiastic, so kind, and so giving...full of questions, hugs, and smiles."

His travels have taken him to Qatar, Norway, Denmark, Germany, Trinidad, and South Africa - and now to Central Oregon to inspire local students and kick off the annual Sisters Science Club lecture series.

Social hour at The Belfry begins at 6 p.m., with the lecture following at 7 p.m. Students, teachers and Science Club members free; others, $5 donation at the door. For more information, contact Kathy Campbell, Sisters Science Club Program Planning, 541-912-0750.