Dottie, a former science teacher who became a history-making NASA astronaut, is in South Africa on a very special mission to inspire young minds in STEM.
Cape Town, South Africa (27 July 2026) – Learners at Springfield Convent School in Wynberg had a science lesson they’ll never forget when retired NASA astronaut Dorothy ‘Dottie’ Metcalf-Lindenburger stepped into assembly.
Dottie visited the school to speak about the inspiring journey that took her from teaching earth science and astronomy at a school to flying aboard Space Shuttle Discovery. A sea of curious minds got to hear what it’s like to work in space, directly from a female astronaut who made history doing it!
“Dottie shared stories from her journey as a science teacher turned astronaut, reminding our learners that with curiosity, determination and hard work, anything is possible. There is no doubt we all walked away inspired to dream a little bigger.” the school shared.
The visit is one of many taking place during the Living Maths Space Tour 2026, which is bringing Dottie to schools, universities, science centres and communities across South Africa from 22 July to 4 August.
While many international speakers only visit major cities in SA, this tour will also reach remote and underserved communities. Living Maths wants to give learners who may not otherwise have access to opportunities like this the chance to meet someone who has actually been in space.
“This tour is about possibility,” said Steve Sherman, Chief Imagination Officer of Living Maths. “When young people in South Africa meet someone who has literally travelled beyond Earth, it changes the way they think about themselves and their futures. We want learners in every community — especially those in remote and underserved areas — to realise that science, technology, engineering and mathematics are not distant dreams reserved for other countries or other people. These opportunities belong to them too.”
Before she became an astronaut, Dottie spent many years as a high school science teacher in Washington State. She was selected to join NASA through its Educator Astronaut Program in 2004 and then became the first former Space Camp attendee to be accepted into the Astronaut Corps.
Six years later, she flew aboard Space Shuttle Discovery as part of the STS-131 mission to the International Space Station. Her job involved operating the shuttle’s robotic arm and supporting spacewalk operations while the crew delivered more than 27,000 pounds of scientific equipment and supplies to the space station. Over the course of the mission, Discovery completed 238 orbits of Earth and travelled more than 6.2 million miles!
She also made spaceflight history, as one of four women who were in space at the same time for the first time ever.
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Now she works as a professional speaker and a champion of science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics education around the world.
“Science and exploration thrive when young people are encouraged to ask questions, solve problems, and imagine boldly,” says Dottie. “I’m honoured to visit South Africa and share experiences from space exploration, teamwork, leadership, and discovery with audiences across the country.”
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