Space Education Panel
Damien Aldridge, John Duffy, Liam Kennedy, Elizabeth Kennick, Judi Sandrock, & Charles Slatkin
John Duffy serves as the Director of Education at Estes Industries, developing and leading programs that advance STEM learning through model rocketry and hands-on aerospace education. He joined Estes in the summer of 2025, bringing with him more than thirty years of experience in education, technology, and leadership.
Before joining Estes, John taught IB Physics, Aerospace Engineering, and Astronomy in Leander ISD, where he developed innovative, inquiry-based science programs. A U.S. Army veteran, he also held sales and leadership roles with multiple Fortune 500 companies and start-ups. John holds an MBA from the University of Texas, McCombs School of Business, a Principal Certification from Lamar University, and a BA in Environmental Science from Concordia University.
Damien Aldridge is a STEM entrepreneur and award-winning educator leading cutting-edge programs in AI, Space Education, and hands-on STEM education across the globe.
As the founder of Space Quest LLC, he designs and delivers immersive international Space, STEM, and AI programs - ranging from Mars missions to student AI rocket challenges - partnering with universities, communities, and mission-aligned organizations on five continents.
In the U.S., he also leads STEMAIVERSE, a nonprofit focused on equity-driven education, providing scalable STEM and AI experiences to schools and communities. Damien specializes in co-creating bold, future-ready learning journeys, whether through Minecraft-powered global design challenges, mobile STEM initiatives, or Meta/AI-powered virtual classrooms. His mission: unlock access to STEM for all and build a generation of creators and problem-solvers equipped for the world ahead.
Liam Kennedy is the Space TV Director for Sen and inventor of the ISS-Above. Throughout a career in programming and live video streaming/video production, Liam has been passionate about astronomy and the perspective it gives humankind on our place in the Universe and how beautiful and fragile our Earth is. Previously President of the Orange County Astronomers, a Griffith Observatory Planetarium Lecturer, and a NASA/JPL Solar System Ambassador, today Liam focuses on bringing the ISS into people’s daily lives, through public outreach, deployment of the ISS-Above into homes, schools and public spaces and spearheading projects to enhance our view of space exploration and of ourselves. Since 2016 Liam has been on a mission to upgrade the Earth viewing cameras on the International Space Station. Liam is now Space TV Director for Sen who have installed the first ever 4K External Camera platform on the ISS which is now live streaming views Earth views to public 24x7 on YouTube.
Elizabeth Kennick joined Teachers in Space (TIS) as program director in 2011 and became President in 2014. Formerly Vice President of Client Technology at Morgan Stanley, she now splits her time between developing exciting ways to bring Space into the classroom, and funding spaceflights for classroom experiments and teachers. TIS teachers have flown cubesat experiments on balloons, gliders, and spacecraft, most recently on Blue Origin’s 14 April 2025 six woman suborbital flight. Liz has led teachers on multiple ZeroG flights and is eager to begin human suborbital space flights for teachers with their classroom experiments.
Judi Sandrock is the co-founder and Managing Director of MaxIQ Space, a trailblazer in Space STEM education. With a dynamic career spanning over three decades and industries as diverse as mining, oil and gas, and pulp and paper, Judi bridges the worlds of technical expertise and transformative education. Her academic achievements in Chemical Engineering, Applied Chemistry, and Business Leadership—bolstered by an MBA from the Gordon Institute of Business Science—lay the foundation for her innovative approach to knowledge and education.
As the author of The Art of Managing Knowledge - a Practitioner’s Guide, Judi has influenced business leaders across South Africa, Singapore, and Japan, while her hands-on leadership has positioned MaxIQ Space at the forefront of educational innovation. Under her guidance, students worldwide have not only explored but also contributed to space exploration, with many designing and launching their own satellites—an inspiring testament to her commitment to equipping youth for the 4th Industrial Revolution.
Charles Slatkin is the Founder and Executive Director of The Goddard Project, a key initiative of The Wonder Mission 501(c)(3). They are an organization focused on creating initiatives and experiences to inspire younger generations with the awe, wonder, and potential of science, technology, and engineering, with a particular focus on space exploration. They are creating a national movement to leverage the legacy of Dr. Robert Goddard and his upcoming “First Launch Space Centennial” on March 16, 2026, for the greater good. This Centennial will honor Goddard’s historic achievement while simultaneously celebrating the remarkable contributions of “Today’s Goddards” - the scientists, engineers, explorers, educators, and visionaries who, often unsung, work tirelessly to expand human knowledge and inspire us all to dream big. And as importantly, we must also pay tribute to our young “Tomorrow’s Goddards.” Now, more than ever, with the basic tenets of science under attack, we need to honor and elevate them as the superstars they truly are.
