Free Educational Topics in Los Angeles & Orange County

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  • From Concept to Cosmos: A Journey through Project Management Principles and NASA’s Best Practices

    David Lehman, Project Manager, Retired from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory

    In this presentation Mr. Lehman will summarize the basic principles of project management. This will be followed by a summary of NASA’s process for managing space projects throughout the life cycle, including formulation which consists of Phase A (concept & technology development) and Phase B (preliminary design and technology completion phase), approval for implementation, and implementation which includes Phase C (final design & fabrication), Phase D (system assembly, integration & test, launch & checkout), and Phase E (operations and sustainment). He will address how NASA forms teams including the importance of key roles such as Project Manager, Project Systems Engineer (PSE), Safety & Mission Assurance Manager, and System Managers. He will then address the role of systems engineering in project management and the process of how PSEs mature their systems-level preliminary designs, and then address the expected maturity state of projects as they progress through the life cycle. Finally, Mr. Lehman will present three case studies in project management: the Deep Space 1 mission, the Mars Climate Orbiter failure lessons learned, and the last mission of the Space Shuttle Challenger. MORE >

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  • Diamonds Are A Girl’s Best Friend

    Carol Shafer, Retired GIA Jeweler, Carol Shafer Fine Jewelry

    Learn about diamond mining and gain valuable information about maintenance of diamonds and gold. Most fine jewelry sales are just that...selling. Carol contributes much more by teaching how to keep the luster and beauty of jewelry for years to come. The song "Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend" has a double entendre for Carol as she was also a Marilyn Monroe impersonator for twenty years. MORE >

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  • Dare Mighty Things – A Short History of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory

    David Lehman, Project Manager, Retired from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory

    The origins of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory date back to the 1930s, when Caltech professor Theodore von Kármán oversaw pioneering work in rocket propulsion. After unsuccessful and sometimes hazardous experiments, several of his graduate students were forced to move their work off campus. They chose the Arroyo Seco, a dry canyon wash north of the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California – and future home of JPL. This early work grew into a laboratory of over 6000 employees that has sent spacecraft to every planet in our solar system and two spacecraft now in interstellar space. MORE >

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  • Are We Alone?

    David Lehman, Project Manager, Retired from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory

    This presentation explores the fundamental question of whether we are alone in the universe. It begins by defining life and its essential characteristics. The exploration continues with a review of human efforts to search for extraterrestrial life, including a summary of the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence Institute’s quest by Earth-based telescopes, the James Webb Space Telescope's study of techno-signatures of planets in other star systems, and the Mars Sample Return mission’s plans to bring back actual samples (which may include ancient life-forms) from Mars. The presentation also delves into the Drake Equation's role in estimating the number of civilizations in our galaxy and the Fermi Paradox, which questions why extraterrestrial life has not yet been observed. The talk concludes with strategies to boost our chances of answering the question “..Are We Alone?...” MORE >

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  • A Martian’s Thoughts about being a Good Speaker and Leader

    David Lehman, Project Manager, Retired from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory

    The theme of this talk will revolve around the significance of effective communication, leadership, and vision in the context of space exploration, particularly missions to Mars. It will emphasize the importance of clear communications, strong leadership qualities, and visionary thinking in overcoming challenges and achieving success in endeavors such as space travel to Mars. It will also highlight notable figures who have exemplified these qualities throughout history, drawing parallels between their achievements and the challenges faced in space exploration. Overall, the theme will convey the message that effective communication and leadership are essential for the success of future Mars missions and for those who aspire to follow their dreams. MORE >

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