It’s Never Too Late for STEM

Kristen Marlatt never imagined herself working with NASA, but at 34, one unexpected field trip sparked a journey that would change her career forever.

Kristen always knew she wanted to be a teacher. What she didn’t know was that STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math fields) would become her life’s passion. “It wasn’t on my radar at all,” she admits. After earning her master’s in elementary education, she began teaching gifted and talented students in grades 3–5 in Neptune Township, New Jersey. For a decade, she loved shaping young minds, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that something was missing.

That changed when a colleague suggested a field trip to Buehler Challenger & Science Center in Paramus. Kristen wanted to take her students, but not before attending the required teacher workshop. There, at age 34, she had what she calls her “aha moment.”

“I learned about Christa McAuliffe, the Challenger crew, and the mission of Challenger Center. I said, ‘This is exactly what I want to do with my career.’ I couldn’t get enough of it.”

From Late Bloomer to STEM Leader

Despite not growing up interested in science, Kristen dove headfirst into STEM education. Within a week of that first workshop, she enrolled in the NASA Endeavor STEM Teaching Certificate Project, eventually earning her STEM Leadership Certificate.

“I’m proof that STEM is for anyone at any age,” she says. “Even as an adult, I was learning new things about myself through these missions.”

Over the next eight years, she transformed her classroom into a hub of STEM activity, weaving in coding, robotics, and engineering design challenges. She even wrote the STEM curriculum for her district. Parents joked she was “doing too much science,” but Kristen saw it differently: “It’s all integrated—that’s the whole point.”

Her involvement didn’t stop with her students. She became a Space Foundation Teacher Liaison, a NASA Climate Change Research Ambassador, and a Mission Commander at the Buehler Challenger & Science Center. She ran overnight missions, summer camps, and afterschool programs, all while spreading Challenger Center’s mission to anyone who would listen.

Taking the Leap

After nearly 20 years in the classroom, Kristen felt called to make an impact beyond its walls. She began consulting with NASA on national engineering design challenges and supporting educators across the country. She credits her Challenger Center experience as the launchpad that gave her the confidence to take the leap.

“Challenger Center is the reason I am where I am today,” Kristen reflects. “I don’t think I would have pursued any of this if I hadn’t attended that workshop. I really owe so much to it.”

Her persistence paid off: in 2025, she landed her dream role with NASA as a Technical Coordinator for Coding and Innovation for the App Design Challenge. The program engages high school and community college students to design apps around the Artemis mission, culminating in top teams presenting at NASA’s Johnson Space Center.

Inspiring Students by Example

While she misses the daily energy of the classroom, Kristen now impacts students on a broader scale, especially those from underserved communities. “It’s about equity in STEM education,” she explains. “So many of my students didn’t have access to these opportunities. My goal is to keep opening doors for them.”

To her former students, she is living proof that it’s never too late to dream big. On her last day in the classroom before heading to NASA, her students told her, “Miss Marlatt, this has been your dream. You’ve talked about it for years—and look, you’re doing it.”

Looking back, Kristen is proud she wasn’t afraid to pivot. “So many people stay in one lane. I’m so glad I took the leap of faith. My path is different now, but I’ll always be with those kids—just in a new way.”

The Challenger Legacy

For Kristen, Challenger Center will always hold a special place. It was a turning point that set her on her path, and she sees the power in its mission. “It’s a living, working memorial where kids complete the mission. That’s so powerful. That’s legacy.”

She also personally connects with the legacy of Challenger Crew member, Christa McAuliffe. “Christa didn’t necessarily have a deep science background; she was selected because she embodied what it means to be a true educator,” said Kristen. “That resonates deeply with me, because I didn’t start out with a strong science background either. But I’ve always had the vision and drive to inspire students to see themselves as explorers.”

Kristen’s legacy and message to students and educators alike is simple: “STEM is for everyone. It’s never too late to try something new, to be curious, and to challenge yourself. If I can do it, so can you.” Her story proves that curiosity has no age limit. With courage and persistence, anyone can find their spark in STEM.