Andrew Webb-Buffington Email & Phone Number

United States

As the Founder and Executive Director of the Global STEM Initiative (GSI), I'm on an incredible journey to transform STEM education worldwide. I've had the privilege of traveling to 30 countries, immersing myself in diverse communities and conducting extensive research. These experiences have shaped GSI into an organization that truly understands the global landscape of STEM education.GSI is all about making a difference where it matters most. We're passionate about reaching countries and communities where STEM education is limited or overlooked. That's why we establish Chapters in these regions, working closely with local leaders and educators to create tailored programs that meet their unique needs. We believe in the power of localized solutions to empower students and communities.One thing I've learned from my travels is that collaboration is key. That's why we've formed strategic partnerships with organizations, academic institutions, and experts in STEM education around the world. By joining forces, we can pool our resources, knowledge, and best practices to make an even greater impact. Together, we're building a global network of change-makers, dedicated to inspiring the next generation of innovators and problem-solvers.At GSI, we're breaking down barriers and embracing creativity. We understand that true innovation comes from diverse perspectives, cultures, and backgrounds. That's why we encourage our Chapters to bring their own unique flavor and ideas to the table. We celebrate cultural representation and ensure that our programs reflect the rich diversity of the communities we serve.So whether you're a student, educator, or advocate, I invite you to join us on this exciting journey of discovery, learning, and innovation. Together, let's bridge the gaps in STEM education, unlock the untapped potential of young minds, and create a brighter future for all.

Amman, Jordan

What is Hareer? It is a non-profit organization in Jordan established in 2018. It is a social and national initiative to support children with cancer. They provide wigs made from donated natural hair from all members of society. They gift these wigs free of charge to the cancer patients and additionally provide emotional and physiological support to children with cancer and their families. They also create initiatives that benefit orphans, refugees, children with disabilities, underprivileged children, and they create projects to empower women and youth.

Amman, Jordan

A organization based in Jordan. We specialize bringing the world of astronomy to under-served communities. We engage with the students of Jordan by making it affordable and providing stargazing and astronomical events and trips in Wadi Rum where the sky is most optimal. Our organization is one of few with access to advanced telescopes in Jordan and we invite people of all ages to come and experience the stars!

Melbourne, Florida, United States

IIAS is a matrixed organization that integrates subject-matter experts with younger professionals and students. Unlike more hierarchical academic organizations that often impose an unspoken but rigid ceiling as to who may publish or serve as lead investigators, IIAS encourages all of its members to take the initiative to contribute to or lead scientific studies.IIAS is an immersive educational institution; every course offered by IIAS serves to develop the student to participate and contribute directly to its professional citizen-science activities. Our students have studied mesospheric clouds from aircraft in remote regions of Canada, tested prototype space suits in microgravity, tested egress procedures and space suits in contingency post-landing environments, developed new methods to educate young students and engage under-represented communities, and developed a variety of technologies and experiments for high altitude, microgravity, or suborbital flight.Because many professional students have outside obligations, IIAS courses typically combine academic instruction provided through our virtual classroom with immersive educational components involving intensive field research.

Melbourne, Florida, United States

PoSSUM graduates conduct high-resolution imagery and tomographic reconstruction of noctilucent cloud structures coupled with temperature and aerosol profiles from research aircraft, high-altitude balloon campaigns, and now commercial spacecraft!

Who is PECA:The Planetary Expedition Commander Academy system integrates most of the theoretical and practical systems of character, technology, ability and leadership required by the three space categories of mountain, sea and sky.PECA's mission is to create a leadership group for the future of civilian space exploration.PECA's achievements: In the past 8 years, the PECA team has successfully carried out 8 stratospheric balloon launches, one of which was to photograph the earth at an altitude of 32,000 meters and release a space glider from near space. At the same time, the PECA team conducted several simulations of walking in space suits, and independent producers shot three immersive micro-films with space themes.PECA interstellar lab has developed the world's first complete and unique underwater astronaut training course system: UMIC (Ursa Minor Interstellar Expedition Course). The biggest highlights of the course include: building underwater spaceships and space stations, scuba diving with animals to simulate space travel with animals, and communication between underwater and land.The astronaut specialty diver certification developed by PECA is launched on Padi.The philosophy of PECA is: From mountain expeditions to ocean expeditions to civilian space expeditions. Look at the inner relationship between Earth and extraterrestrial space from the perspective of a more detached ecological civilization.From the mother planet expedition to the alien expedition.The PECA system is the compilation of all the dreams, knowledge structures and life experiences of founder Chris Yuan over the past 26 years.

Nha Trang, Vietnam

California, United States

JSSOAR, standing for Jordan Student Space Outreach and Academic Relations. JSSOAR held the country's sole Artemis I viewing party and attempted Jordan's first Women in AviationInternational Chapter to the Middle East. Additionally, JSSOAR worked closely with the United States Embassy in Amman to host such projects. In the past, JSSOAR has held JMARS (Java Mission Analysis and Remote Sensing) classes for the under-served children in Amman.JSSOAR has collaborated with the Canadian Space Agency and Let’s Talk Science, transporting three hundred tomato seeds from the International Space Station (ISS) to the Jordanian classrooms. The nonprofit serves NASA Educator classes, and is introducing the Mars Student Imaging Program (MSIP) as a NASA collaborative program, allowing the students of Jordan to conduct real science based off of the planet Mars and construct scientific research proposals.

Florida, United States

Tower climbers perform routine inspections and tests on broadcasting towers, and may also be called upon to perform repairs and to provide input when plans for new equipment are being developed. Along with the installers of the tower antennas, other crews climb the towers to perform condition checks of the towers, guy lines and lighting systems on towers as high as 1000ft. One of the most demanding aspects of many tower climber jobs is hauling materials and tools up to the proper installation height on the tower. Working on cellphone towers is the deadliest job in the United States, according to a U.S. trade publication, and it has been claimed that the tower climbing industry experiences 10 times more death casualties than other construction occupations. The head of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) once called tower climbing "the most dangerous job in America."

Florida, United States

With my newfound experience in the mechanical industry, I used the experience from work and exposure from the business side to create my own company. I was the sole employee and CEO and my business did very well. I decided to close down the business because I wanted to move on to better career progression towards space exploration.

Florida, United States

As a Technical and Service Diver, I specialized in working in extreme environments underwater typically in a port yard or dockside. I specialized in working in pitch black environments with limited tools and equipment and worked underwater for multiple hours. Similar to a construction site, working in intense environments underwater helped me gain invaluable experience in all fields of work and improved my diving ability and comfort underwater.

Florida, United States

A stevedore, also called a longshoreman, a docker or a dockworker, is a waterfront manual laborer who is involved in loading and unloading ships, trucks, trains or airplanes in a port-yard. Port Riggers set up and repair rigging at manufacturing plants, shipyards, logging yards, and construction sites. They are responsible for aligning and anchoring the machinery, attaching loads, controlling the movement of heavy equipment, and ensuring the rigging is safe for use. I specialized in the yacht transport sector which is a unique business trade.

Florida, United States

I Worked as an traveling Automotive Mechanic and I was trained to perform oil changes, brake and rotor replacements, battery testing and replacement, tire rotating and installation, engine flushes, gained experience with diesel engines, and general diagnostics of the vehicles engine and working components. I worked as a mechanic from a mobile automotive shop (vehicle) and collected over 300 driving hours in commute to various clients both residential and businesses. I gained priceless experience with tools specific for working in the automotive industry which translate easily to any mechanical application.

Florida, United States

Marine mechanics perform diagnostics and tests to repair boat engines, propellers, masts, hulls, rigging, sails, and navigational equipment. I mainly worked to assemble and install inflatable boats which is a unique industry.

Florida, United States

A armed custom protection officer is a highly trained security professional who is responsible for protecting property and citizens from crime-related incidents and risks. A custom protection officer works for G4S, a leading private security organization that offers services for both the government and private companies. My job duties included patrolling residential, commercial, or government property, manning security stations, keeping incident reports, and screening visitors while in an armed compacity. The educational qualifications to have a career as a custom protection officer include a degree in criminal justice, police science, or security administration. Most employers require previous experience in the police force or military.

173Rd Airborne Brigade (Italy)

While serving in the U.S. Army I volunteered as a Public Affairs Officer for my unit the 173rd Airborne Brigade. I was a Photographer, Videographer, Graphic Designer, and Journalist. I documented both U.S. and NATO operations in the European continent. Serving as a Public Affairs Officer, I advised senior leaders in a variety of public affairs decisions and provide media training to ensure clear and compelling communication. I worked closely with the domestic and foreign media to keep the American people and members of the Army informed and confident in new policies, initiatives, training, and international developments. l also executed communication plans that collectively set the narrative for the Army. I served as Combat Camera volunteer and did this as a secondary occupation alongside my primary MOS.

Veneto, Italy

I trained with 22 different NATO allied armies in 6 different countries for coalition training, mission planning, and show of force. I gained international experience while serving in the U.S. Army while stationed at the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team.Formed in 1949 with the signing of the Washington Treaty, NATO is a security alliance of 30 countries from North America and Europe. NATO's fundamental goal is to safeguard the Allies' freedom and security by political and military means.

173Rd Airborne Brigade (Italy)

Airborne forces are ground combat units carried by aircraft and airdropped into battle zones from 1250ft, typically by parachute drop or air assault. Parachute-qualified infantry and support personnel serving in airborne units are also known as paratroopers. During my time I jumped over 20 times from C-17s, C-130s, CH-47 Chinooks, UH-60 Black hawks in 3 different countries with multiple NATO allies. I was awarded one foreign award which was the Italian Parachutist Badge from the Italian Army.

173Rd Airborne Brigade, Italy

As a Joint Fire Support Specialist, I gathered intelligence and enemy target location to help the Army determine where and how to deploy artillery in mission-based situations. l can set up and operate communications systems, encode and decode messages, assist in the preparation of fire support plans, coordinate and target, operate laser range finders and target devices, and determine the target’s location using computers or manual calculations.