Emily Calandrelli

Emily Calandrelli – Life, Career, and Inspiring Insights

Explore the life and achievements of Emily Calandrelli, American science communicator, engineer, TV host, and producer. Learn about her early passion, major works, values, and memorable quotes.

Introduction

Emily Dawn Calandrelli (born May 18, 1987) is an American aerospace engineer, science communicator, television host, and producer. Xploration Outer Space and Emily’s Wonder Lab.

In this article, we’ll journey through her upbringing, academic path, broadcasting career, published works, philosophy, quotes, and lessons we can draw from her journey.

Early Life and Education

Emily Calandrelli was born in Morgantown, West Virginia.

From early on, she was drawn to STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics), though she has said that she did not necessarily see herself as exceptional compared to some peers initially.

She pursued undergraduate studies at West Virginia University, where she earned a B.S. in Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering in 2010. Goldwater Scholarship and being named to USA Today’s All-USA Academic Team.

Later, she went to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), earning two master’s degrees in 2013: one in Aeronautics & Astronautics, and the other in Technology & Policy.

During her early research and internships, she contributed to NASA-related work, developing simulations and sensor designs, among other projects.

Broadcasting & Producing Career

Xploration Outer Space

In 2014, Calandrelli began hosting Xploration Outer Space, part of Fox’s educational programming block Xploration Station.

On the show, she visits space- and astronomy-related sites, interviews experts, and presents space science topics to a general audience.

Emily’s Wonder Lab

In 2020, she launched her own Netflix series, Emily’s Wonder Lab, aimed especially at younger audiences to spark curiosity through hands-on experiments.

The show had one season of about 10 episodes.

Other Media & Roles

• She appeared as a science correspondent on Bill Nye Saves the World in 2017.

• She is credited as a producer (or executive producer) on Xploration Outer Space.

• She gives public talks, TEDx appearances, and speaks at schools, universities, and corporate or scientific venues about science, space, and equity in STEM.

In 2024, she also achieved a milestone—flying into space as a passenger on Blue Origin, becoming the 100th woman to fly to space.

Publications & Science Outreach

Calandrelli has also extended her communication into writing, especially for children and families:

• Ada Lace Adventures – a chapter book series (with co-author Tamson Weston) that uses science, math, and technology themes for young readers.

• Reach for the Stars (2022) – a picture book aimed at inspiring kids about space.

• Stay Curious and Keep Exploring – a book with science experiments for families.

These works reflect her mission of making science accessible, playful, and inclusive.

Personality, Values & Public Image

Emily Calandrelli is known for being earnest, passionate, and deeply committed to scientific literacy, inclusion in STEM, and inspiring the next generation.

She uses the moniker “The Space Gal” on social media and in public persona.

She has also been outspoken on issues like parental leave, especially for working mothers in STEM fields.

When producing Emily’s Wonder Lab, she made the bold choice to film near term while pregnant (at ~36 weeks), challenging norms about pregnant hosts.

In 2024, her spaceflight achievement further cemented her image as someone who not only talks about space but participates in it.

Notable Quotes & Insights

Here are some statements and ideas attributed to Emily Calandrelli that reveal her mindset:

“On TV, you don’t usually see somebody who is pregnant doing something other than being an expectant mother — or hiding it.”

She has discussed how her work evolved after becoming a parent, saying that it broadened her creative lens to include the science of childhood and pregnancy.

Regarding the early reception she faced when pitching science TV shows (especially as a woman host), she noted that some in the industry didn’t believe that a predominantly male audience would watch a female science host.

Although Calandrelli is not typically quoted in large collections, these anecdotes reflect a courageous approach to her role.

Lessons from Emily Calandrelli’s Journey

1. Leverage interdisciplinary strengths
   She combined deep technical knowledge (engineering) with communication skills to create impactful media.

2. Challenge norms
   Choosing to film while pregnant, advocating for better parental policies, and stepping into roles historically underrepresented by women are examples of her pushing boundaries.

3. Engage with your audience’s curiosity
   Her shows and books are designed not just to lecture, but to provoke wonder and hands-on exploration.

4. Representation matters
   By being visible as a woman in STEM, a mother in science media, and now a space traveler, she expands what people imagine is possible for themselves.

5. Persistence and patience
   Her path from engineering student to media presence wasn’t overnight—it involved research roles, educational outreach, and incremental steps into media.

Conclusion

Emily Calandrelli is a compelling modern example of how one can bridge technical expertise and storytelling to inspire and educate. She lives at the intersection of engineering, communication, parenting, and advocacy—and increasingly, space itself.

Her career shows that making science engaging isn’t just about content, but about identity, daring, and representation. If you like, I can prepare a timeline of her major projects, deeper analysis of Emily’s Wonder Lab, or curate more quotes and interviews. Would you like me to do that?