Strategic Communications
Interview With Astronaut Steve MacLean
Catherine Fortin Major
Ottawa Citizen
Monday, August 28, 2006
In the next few days, Canadian astronaut Steve MacLean will blast off
into space for the second time in his life. Aboard the Space Shuttle
Atlantis destined for the International Space Station, MacLean will become
the first Canadian to operate the Canadarm2 and the second to perform a
spacewalk.
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If you bumped into Steve MacLean at your local public library, you
probably wouldn't guess that he is an accomplished laser physicist, or a
career astronaut for that matter. His profession may be surprising to some
because MacLean's well-rounded attitude and his appreciation for
literature defy the common stereotype of the narrowly-focused and
introverted scientist. In fact, Steve credits his passion for science to
the sense of adventure that was instilled in him at a very young age
through reading. "You start reading," he says, "and it becomes the
adventure of a lifetime if you continue to do it."
MacLean claims his many trips as a child to the Ottawa Public Library
to read books like Treasure Island, Sinbad and the Seven Seas and Never
Cry Wolf inspired him to want to be a part of something meaningful and
special as an adult. He also credits reading to allowing him to see the
bigger picture in life and getting a better understanding of different
points of view and cultures.
"Reading had a huge impact on my space career," says MacLean. "And I
find that people who read a lot-even among the astute engineers and
scientists here at the Space Agency-are often the most interesting
people."
Contrary to many of his present colleagues, MacLean admits that his
desire to be an astronaut did not originate as a child. Instead, it was
his co-workers in the science field who encouraged him to apply to the
Space Program in 1984. In fact, when Steve wasn't in the library, he spent
much of his time in the gym and eventually earned himself a spot on the
Canadian National Gymnastics Team. One day, he wondered how good he could
become at something else if he worked as hard at it as he did with
gymnastics. So he decided to try a little experiment where he studied
mathematics as hard as he could and read up on everything that was related
to that subject. Needless to say, he eventually became pretty good at math
and decided to make a career out of it.
Despite focusing his academic studies on math and science, MacLean says
reading has had, and continues to have, an important place in his life and
played a central role in developing him as the well-rounded person that he
has come to be. As a graduate student at York University, Steve admits to
taking breaks from his technical study in the computer labs by going to
the library, which was next door. There, he would make his way to the
mountain climbing or Arctic explorer sections, open any book at random,
and learn about something new that was totally unrelated to his scientific
course of study. MacLean saw this as a relaxation break as well as an
opportunity to advance his career by helping him "better relate in the
world," as he puts it.
And being able to "better relate in the world" is precisely why MacLean
feels reading is so critical to a child's development. "Reading really has
made a difference for me," he says, "and it's really why I want to be a
part of what the Canadian libraries are doing." Steve's latest projects
involve an essay contest for students aged nine to fourteen titled,
"Launch Your Future with Reading," as well as the conception of an
electronic library for children's space-related works and other
educational materials which will be housed on the Canadian Space Agency
website. By participating in projects like these, the astronaut hopes that
young people will make the link between reading, science and creativity,
and realize that reading can have a huge impact on their future, as it did
with his.
Specifically, MacLean's message to students is that you don't have to
be an Einstein to succeed. "You just have to be a journeyman who works
hard," he says. And according to MacLean, to be a true journeyman or
journeywoman you have to hit up your local public library and read.
Through his work with the public libraries, Steve hopes kids will learn
that seeing the big picture and understanding how and why people think
differently is forever beneficial, regardless of the career-or planet-you
choose to work on.
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For more information about the Launch Your Future with Reading Contest,
visit the CLA website at www.cla.ca, and for more information about Steve
MacLean and his mission, visit the Canadian Space Agency website at
www.space.gc.ca.
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Catherine Fortin Major is a communications associate with Impact Public
Affairs in Ottawa.
© Ottawa Citizen
