Space Bites: Reflections of a NASA Food Scientist with Vicki Kloeris, retired NASA food scientist
OCT 8, 6:30-8:30PM | Doors @ 6:15PM
Join us for a fun night of exploring the world of food in space! Meet Vickie Kloeris, retired NASA food scientist and learn what it takes to assemble a sandwich in space, hear her stories of feeding Apollo 13 and her journey of working side by side with astronauts to ensure they have their favorite meals.
6:15PM | Doors Open
6:30PM | Lecture & Q&A
7:30PM | Book signing
TICKETS:
Event Only
$15 adults, $13 seniors, $10 youth | OMSI members receive 15% off
Event plus the book Space Bites
$32 adults, $30 seniors, $27 youth | includes the book, Space Bites: Reflections of a NASA Food Scientist
We will have a limited number of copies of her book available for purchase at the event.
ABOUT THE SPEAKER:
Vickie Kloeris recently retired from NASA where she worked in space food systems for thirty-four years. She has authored and co-authored numerous publications and has received several awards, including NASA’s highest employee award, the NASA Distinguished Service Medal, in 2019. During her career, she was twice awarded the NASA Exceptional Service Medal And also received the Johnson Space Center Director’s Commendation Award. In 2017, she was given an Outstanding Alumni Award by the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences At her alma mater, Texas A&M University.
As a microbiology undergrad entering her final semester at Texas A&M University, Vickie Kloeris found she was missing a single one-hour credit in her elective studies. As she scanned through the list of approved options, a course in food microbiology caught her eye. Vickie didn’t know it then, but that seemingly simple decision would drastically change the course of her career—and life—from that moment forward.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Space Bites: Reflections of a NASA Food Scientist takes readers through the many memorable moments of Vickie’s Career as she worked on both the Shuttle and International Space Station food systems. If you’ve ever wanted an inside look at what it’s like to assemble a sandwich in space, produce a space food breakfast for the cast of Apollo 13, or work side by side with astronauts as they prepare for the journey of a lifetime, you’re sure to learn something new with the turn of every page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, the Empirical Cafe will be open with prepackaged salads, sandwiches and movie snacks. The bar will be open to guests that are 21+. No outside food or drink is allowed.
Click here for OMSI’s overall accessibility information. Below are the specific details for the Empirical Theater.
The Empirical Theater has an upper-level wheelchair accessible entrance and theater restrooms; due to the layout of the theater the lower-level main entrance is only accessible by stairs. Please check in with a Guest Services Representative or volunteer for assistance in locating these areas.
Several daytime documentaries and newer evening full-features offer closed captions, audio description, and volume amplification. The CaptiView closed caption units allow guests to see captions for their show by using a cup holder device that they can adjust within their view, and the Fidelio RX audio description units deliver descriptive narration and can also amplify the theater volume and dialogue.
The Showing Today signs updated daily at the front desk and theater entrance indicate which features offer closed captions (CC) and audio description (AD), while volume amplification is available for all theater content including events such as Science Pub and Reel Science.
Limited quantities of the following devices are available for theater guests and may be requested at either the Front Desk or Concierge Desk as well as from the theater usher:
- CaptiView closed caption (CC) viewing devices
- Fidelio RX audio description and volume amplification units
- Williams Sound NKL-001 neck loops designed to work with hearing aids equipped with a telephone coil or T-Switch
The rough inside measurements of the seats not including arm and back rests:
- Theater seats 16.5” wide and 21.5” deep
- Two accessible seating area chairs 39.29″ high, 29.5″ wide, and 29″ deep
- Additional accessible seating area chairs available by request is 23.5” wide and 21.5” deep
- The weight capacity for the accessible seating area chairs are 500lbs, and the additional accessible seating area chairs support between 200lbs-250lbs
Earplugs can be requested from the Front Desk and Concierge Desk, and sensory resource packs that include:
- Noise reducing headphones
- Fidget toys
- Sunglasses
- Visual and auditory timer
- 2 pound weighted shoulder wrap
- Sanitizing wipes
Please contact OMSI Guest Services at (503) 797-4000 or Info@OMSI.edu with any additional specific questions or needs.
OMSI has a new parking system via the mobile parking app, Parking Kitty, to create an easier and more streamlined experience for our visitors. Parking is $2 + fees for after-hours events. We recommend you download the app prior to your arrival at OMSI. You can also pay via their website at www.parkingkitty.com.