Nancy Tashima had the pleasure of teaching physical science and aerospace studies for 22 years at Konawaena High School on the Big Island of Hawaii. For 25 years she was the resource teacher and curator of the Astronaut Ellison S. Onizuka Space Center where her duties included development of its education and outreach programs. The learning center used the theme of aerospace education to further the inspirational legacy of Challenger astronaut, Ellison Onizuka while engaging its visitors with scientific exhibits and unique interactive displays. Nancy is honored to also participate in NASA's Messenger and New Horizons Educator Fellowship Programs. She had the thrill of viewing the launch of the MESSENGER spacecraft to planet Mercury. |Nancy is married to retired science teacher, James, and they have two daughters and two grandchildren. Her favorite pastime is to collect and develop space related items to teach students about the excitement of the cosmos! Since her retirement, she volunteers as a NASA Solar System Ambassador at several annual Space themed community events on the Big Island of Hawaii.