It's well known that many girls have a tendency to dumb down when they're in middle school.

Well, we spend an awful lot of our time working and doing experiments. It's very busy up on the shuttle.

So most astronauts are astronauts for a couple of years before they are assigned to a flight.

All adventures, especially into new territory, are scary.

But even in elementary school and junior high, I was very interested in space and in the space program.

I can't remember a single time [my parents] ever told me not to do something I wanted to do.

I think it's important for little girls growing up, and young women, to have one in every walk of life. So from that point of view, I'm proud to be a role model!