Solar System Ambassadors
Marcia Culp
Marcia K. Culp, a distinguished Adjunct Instructor at Owens Community College's Workforce and Community Services department, is inspired by Albert Einstein's belief that scientists are also artists. Throughout her career as an Administrator, Media Coordinator, Event Designer, and Artist, she has been keenly aware of the need for developing young innovators, thought leaders, creatives, and problem-solvers for the future. Marcia has cultivated a deep-seated enthusiasm for STEAM Education, seamlessly integrating elements of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math to equip the next generation for the workforce. With her adept skill set, she crafts immersive experiences that captivate audiences, nurturing curiosity and fostering a love for lifelong learning. Serving as a vital link between NASA's space exploration community and the public, Marcia engages in educational initiatives that advance STEM and STEAM literacy and arts integration. Her journey with NASA began in 2016 when she responded to a nationwide call to submit asteroid-inspired artwork for inclusion in one of NASA’s missions. OSIRIS-REx, the first U.S. mission to collect a sample from the asteroid Bennu and return it to Earth for further research, features her artwork which is etched onto a microchip, placed in a digital "outer space" gallery, and will orbit the Sun for millennia. Marcia shares her passion for space exploration through various mediums, including citizen science projects, speaking engagements, as well as contributing her NASA adventure to PBS's "American Portrait," documentary and storytelling project. Her story eloquently illustrates the convergence of art and science, inspiring exploration and discovery of the wonders of the universe. Marcia is a former OSIRIS-REx Ambassador and current Solar System Ambassador.