By Saron Gebereegziabhier
Trinity Times Correspondent
When Trinity Washington University student Daniela Mendez Castro used Slooh – a platform offering live access to global telescopes – to compare the diameters of the sun and Earth, she wasn’t just solving math problems, she was exploring the cosmos.
Guided with tools like Slooh introduced by Trinity adjunct professor Agnes Conaty, Daniela and her fellow students are discovering how math connects them to the universe.
Conaty, who teaches math and environmental science classes at Trinity, is a senior research scientist at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center. She brings her expertise and passion for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) into the classroom.
So respected in her field, Conaty was recently awarded NASA’s prestigious Robert H. Goddard Honor Award for Excellence in Outreach as part of the GLOBE Observer Program team. This recognition underscores her dedication to making science accessible, particularly to underrepresented communities.
Born and raised in the Philippines, she grew up in a family immersed in STEM fields.
Conaty’s civil engineer father inspired her to follow in his footsteps. Despite being one of only five women in her civil engineering graduating class of 1980, Conaty persevered, earning her master’s in structural engineering and a Ph.D. in environmental science.
Her career journey led her to NASA, where she began with her doctoral dissertation and returned years later as a senior research scientist and science lead.
Conaty’s inclusive teaching philosophy stems from her personal experiences.
“Math is an equalizer,” she told Trinity Times. “It doesn’t matter where you come from; with the right tools and support, anyone can succeed.”
At Trinity, Conaty teaches Math 109 and Environmental Science, using tools like the Slooh to connect mathematical principles with real-world applications. From tracking meteorological changes to exploring the night sky, her lessons are both engaging and practical.
Conaty’s journey into a male-dominated field has shaped her advocacy for women and people of color in STEM.
“When I started my career, women were rarely seen in leadership roles,” she said. “Now, NASA has female leaders at every level, from the head of Mission Control to the next astronauts set to land on the moon.”
Conaty also uses her position at NASA to provide resources often inaccessible to underprivileged students. For example, Slooh, a platform typically used in astronomy courses, was introduced in her math classes as a creative way to visualize and apply concepts.
“I want my students to have opportunities they might not otherwise get,” Conaty said. “This is about leveling the playing field.”
Students at Trinity resonate deeply with her teaching methods.
“Using tools like Slooh helped me understand math in ways I never expected. Mendez Castro said. “It made challenging topics tangible and fun.”
Cheryn Chavarria-Romero, a first-year business major, noted how Conaty’s lessons on financial literacy, like calculating loans, have been particularly impactful. “She’s really good at explaining things in a way that sticks with you.”
Conaty’s dedication to educating the next generation extends beyond Trinity. She mentors students at historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and speaks at events like “HerStory: Women at Goddard” and “Out of This World: Women in Space.”
Her outreach efforts aim to inspire young women and minorities to pursue STEM careers, sharing her own story as proof that perseverance can break barriers.
Conaty encourages her students to pursue their dreams fearlessly.
“Do not let the color of your skin, your background, or humble beginnings get in the way of your goals,” she said.
Reflecting on her journey, Conaty emphasizes the importance of finding fulfillment.
“It’s not about the highest-paying job,” she said “It’s about doing what makes you happy and where you feel you belong.”
Through her teaching and outreach, Conaty isn’t just shaping minds — she’s opening doors to the universe, one equation at a time.
