Title: 1) Retired Teacher; 2) Solar System Ambassador
Company: 1) Huntsville Public Schools; 2) Jet Propulsion Laboratory at NASA
Location: Huntsville, Alabama, United States
Doreen Forsythe, Solar System Ambassador at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory at NASA, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Educators for dedication, achievements and leadership in Aerospace and Education.
Ms. Forsythe has distinguished herself as a leading expert in aerospace and education, dedicating more than three decades to advancing science literacy and inspiring future generations. Since 2001, she has served as a solar system ambassador for the Jet Propulsion Laboratory at NASA, delivering lectures, conducting classes and facilitating workshops to share the latest discoveries and missions with the public. Ms. Forsythe’s role involves receiving direct training from NASA scientists and engineers, which she translates into accessible educational experiences for audiences of all ages.
In addition to her ambassadorial work, Ms. Forsythe has made significant contributions as an educator and mentor for more than three decades. She began her career in the classroom at J.P. Cleary Junior High School from 1972 to 1973 and at Westlawn Middle School between 1973 and 1979, laying the foundation for her lifelong commitment to science education.
Ms. Forsythe’s tenure at Ed White Middle School from 1979 to 2001 was marked by pioneering achievements in aerospace education. Notably, in 2000, she launched an aerospace program that engaged students in constructing and tracking the Star Shine satellite using professional-grade software provided through a substantial donation. This hands-on experience not only deepened students’ understanding of satellite technology but also fostered collaboration with universities, such as The University of Alabama in Huntsville, and institutions in France, on scientific payload design for NASA missions.
Returning to the classroom in 2010 after retiring from the public school system nearly a decade earlier, Ms. Forsythe taught engineering and physics at Lee High School in Huntsville City Schools, where she also coached robotics teams from 2010 to 2012. During this period, she guided students through ambitious projects, such as the Europa Project, which culminated in a presentation at NASA headquarters. Under Ms. Forsythe’s mentorship, students developed a mission concept to study Europa’s subsurface ocean and its interactions with its magnetic field. Their innovative approach earned them recognition from NASA scientists and an invitation to attend the launch of the Mars Science Laboratory featuring the Curiosity rover.
Additionally, Ms. Forsythe contributed her teaching expertise to the AP Summer Institute for the College Board in 2011. There, she supported advanced placement educators in delivering rigorous science curricula.
Ms. Forsythe’s academic background includes a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and science with a focus on secondary education from Glassboro State College, now Rowan University. She also holds a Master of Education in secondary education supervision from Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University, now Alabama A&M University. These credentials have underpinned Ms. Forsythe’s success as an educator and advocate for STEM learning.
Active in her professional community, Ms. Forsythe is a member of the Alabama Education Retirees Association, reflecting her ongoing commitment to educational advancement within her state. In her personal life, she enjoys creating PowerPoint presentations that support her lectures and outreach efforts. Ms. Forsythe’s enduring dedication continues to shape science education across Alabama and beyond.
Ms. Forsythe extends her passion for science outreach through teaching astronomy and physics classes to senior citizens via the Learning Quest program at a local library. She also tutors online, primarily to students in mathematics, ranging from elementary-level concepts to algebra two, with occasional sessions in science and reading. She also delivers annual lectures to MENSA groups and regularly donates books to support community learning initiatives. Moreover, Ms. Forsythe volunteers for various planetarium programs.
Among her many accomplishments throughout her career, Ms. Forsythe became deeply involved in planetarium education for over four decades. Inspired by her first encounter with a planetarium built by Wernher von Braun’s rocket team in 1973, she recognized its potential as a teaching tool before attending Planetarium Director School in Rochester, New York, to refine her skills in show production. From 1976 to 1986, she also wrote and produced planetarium shows, and she resumed creating shows in 2014. Additionally, Ms. Forsythe found coaching student teams for BEST Robotics, Inc., FIRST Robotics (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), to be very rewarding.
Ms. Forsythe’s professional excellence has been recognized with numerous awards and honors. She has received several certificates from the Jet Propulsion Laboratory at NASA. She also earned an Excellence in Education award from NASA, a Teacher of the Year recognition from a military organization and an award alongside her students for their work on the Europa Project at NASA. Additionally, Ms. Forsythe has earned certificates from organizations like the 4H Club for her contributions to community engagement.
As she looks toward the future, Ms. Forsythe intends to remain as active as she can in retirement. She looks forward to continuing to tutor students and paying it forward to the next generation.
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