In this episode of The Space Show, host Dr. David Livingston and co-host John Jossy welcome Kathryn Bolish of the WEX Foundation to discuss innovative K-12 STEM education focused on lunar exploration. Kathryn, a mathematician pursuing her PhD at UTSA, explains how the foundation’s LCATS program provides free, three-year space STEM education to 30-40 students annually, meeting bi-weekly on Saturdays at San Antonio area universities. She emphasizes the importance of teaching mathematical logic and set theory from an early age—framing math as a helpful “tool” rather than a frightening “monster”—and addresses how AI can be used as a learning aid rather than a cheating device.
The conversation also covers the program’s collaboration with NASA and aerospace companies like Boeing and SpaceX, including a student project that produced a 3D printer prototype for lunar construction now displayed in a museum. Kathryn discusses how the LCATS curriculum, piloted by NASA in 2017, overcame pandemic-era challenges and will be finalized by May 2026 for expansion to other regions. She shares how exposing students to real industry experts—even when feedback is tough—builds confidence and innovation, drawing parallels to the “magic” of historical achievements like the moon landing. The episode concludes with discussion of the program’s self-sustaining, low-cost model and plans for future growth.