Forget farm-to-table! We are talking space-to-salad.

In this episode of Majors, Minors & Maybes, your professor, mom, and part-time career detective, Dr. W. explores the surprisingly down-to-earth role of a space agriculture scientist. These are the folks figuring out how to grow fresh food where there’s no gravity, no soil, and surely no bees.

Follow a fictional day in the life of Priya, a scientist testing lettuce in low orbit, and get the real scoop on what it takes to turn microgreens into mission-critical tech. From hydroponics to moon radishes, it’s a STEM career that’s weird, wonderful, and wildly futuristic.

If you’ve ever wondered what a botanist would do on Mars, or just want a side of spinach with your stargazing, this one’s for you.

Show Notes:

From Space Stations to Salad Stations: The Science of Space Agriculture

In this episode of Majors, Minors, and Maybes, Dr. W introduces the fascinating world of space agriculture. Explore how scientists like Priya are transforming space stations into thriving salad stations by growing food without traditional resources like gravity, soil, or sunlight. Discover the career path of a Space Agriculture Scientist, including the educational requirements, potential earnings, and key skills needed. Learn about the real-world applications of this research, from solving food insecurity to promoting climate-resilient farming, and consider if this interdisciplinary, experiment-heavy career could be your next maybe. The episode wraps up with listener engagement prompts and a teaser for the next episode on improving health app designs.

00:00 Introduction: Astronauts and Salad Bars

01:10 Meet the Space Agriculture Scientist

02:05 A Day in the Life of Priya

03:54 The Science Behind Space Farming

04:35 Career Path and Opportunities

07:00 Conclusion and Next Episode Teaser