VIRGINIA JEAN BUTCHER

Landsat Communications and Public Engagement Lead

SSAI - NASA Goddard

December 2014 - Present

I lead the communications and public engagement team of specialists for the Landsat mission where I am responsible for establishing the messaging and the planning of the tactical direction for communications and public engagement products and programs for the Landsat mission. Our team manages the NASA Landsat science website, maintains Landsat’s social media presence, and participates in public events to enhance science communication and illustrate complex science concepts to various scientific and non-scientific audiences. I have led projects involving collaboration across missions (e.g, Earth Observatory for Kids) and coordinate communication and outreach efforts within NASA and with external agencies such as USGS. Highlights include:

• Developed and implemented the Education and Public Outreach plan for the Landsat mission in which I established the goals and objectives for mission outreach, designed innovative products and programs, and established partnerships across missions and centers.
• Developed the messages and themes for the Landsat 9 Communications and the public engagement plan in coordination with NASA and USGS management consistent with both agency’s broader messages.
• Conceived, planned, and led the Landsat 9 launch outreach campaign involving 9 weeks of a virtual summer camp leading up to launch, ten innovative events at launch, and facilitated a partnership with the Lompoc tourism board to develop a Geocaching GeoTour for Landsat's 50th anniversary.
• Designed several products in partnership with USGS about Landsat’s science and societal benefits for the American Geophysical Institute’s Earth Science Week including posters, games, hands-on activities, and lessons that are annually distributed to thousands of teachers across the country.
• Originated and served as executive editor of Earth Observatory for Kids that has more than 30 issues aimed at communicating the breadth of NASA Earth science to diverse young adults and to showcase global issues revealed by NASA Earth science missions. 
• Mentored interns on the development of materials such as factsheets, lenticular cards, posters and videos including Go Now! Landsat and the Calypso Caper documentary.

Aura Education and Public Outreach Lead

SSAI - NASA Goddard

September 2011 - Present

I led the education and public outreach efforts for the Aura mission where I planned, developed, coordinated, and implemented events, activities, and materials to communicate NASA Earth science and technology to the public. Highlights include:

• Wrote and implemented the Education and Public Outreach plan for the Aura mission in which I spear-headed cross-mission programs, built collaborations across missions and centers, and developed innovative materials along with a successful model for evaluation throughout the life cycle of education product development.
• Navigated NASA directorates and worked with management to establish a Space Act Agreement with a commercial electronics toy company to develop an innovative educational product about NASA Science which resulted in combining networks to promote NASA science via workshops and events worldwide. 
• Conceived, designed and implemented an educational exhibit at the Goddard Visitor’s Center about ozone with complementary learning materials about atmospheric chemistry and the Aura Ozone Monitoring Garden. 
• Coordinated with the Office of Communication on the development of a suite of articles, science highlights, visuals, and social media strategies to complement a media campaign about air quality 
• Led the development of materials and activities to communicate mission messages and education specific audiences about the complex science concepts at annual Earth Day events, Goddard Days, Maryland Days, and the Capital Hill Maker Fairs. 

Science Writer & Instructional Designer

Indyne, Inc - NASA HQ, Washington DC

July 2004 - Present

I supported the development of the Science Mission Directorate (SMD) website involving science writing, usability testing, and content analysis to develop the information architecture used in the development of the content management system. I combined my skills of instructional design with science writing to develop outreach materials that communicated complex NASA science concepts to students. While working at the directorate level, I seized the opportunity to initiate a product that communicated NASA science across all the SMD disciplines in one product: NASA’s Tour of the Electromagnetic Spectrum, that is still widely used today.

Education and Outreach Coordinator & Multimedia Specialist

SSAI and SGT - NASA Goddard

February 1997 - Present

As Education and Outreach Coordinator for NASA Goddard’s Laboratory for Terrestrial Physics. I promoted science within the laboratory via the division website, and created public relation materials such as brochures, lobby displays, lithographs with educational activities, and posters. As a multimedia specialist, I researched, developed, and implemented innovative products and activities to communicate and educate children about NASA Science. Highlights include:

• Conducted extensive research and evaluation of interactive media for science education and created The Adventure of Echo the Bat, one of the first NASA approved Earth Science outstanding educational products, composed of an interactive website, book, and live puppet show. 
• Awarded a $100k unsolicited proposal from NASA Headquarters to lead the development of a program to teach K-2 students the fundamental concepts of how to interpret satellite imagery through the interactive adventure of Amelia the Pigeon.