Aisha Bowe Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Aisha Bowe
Aisha Bowe in 2025
Born	(1985-11-04) November 4, 1985 (age 40) Ann Arbor, Michigan
Alma mater	University of Michigan
Organization	STEMBoard
Known for	Aerospace engineering, entrepreneurship, and STEM education

Aisha Bowe, born on November 4, 1985, is an amazing American aerospace engineer and a successful entrepreneur. She is also a big supporter of STEM education, which stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. Aisha founded and leads STEMBoard, a company that provides technology services. She also started LINGO, an education company that helps kids learn STEM in fun, hands-on ways.

STEMBoard has been recognized by Inc. magazine as one of the fastest-growing private companies in the United States in both 2020 and 2023. In April 2025, Aisha Bowe flew into space on the Blue Origin NS-31 mission. During this flight, she helped conduct important plant biology experiments for NASA-affiliated research.

Aisha Bowe: A Space Explorer and STEM Leader
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Aisha Bowe: A Space Explorer and STEM Leader

Early Life and Educational Journey

Aisha Bowe grew up in the United States in a family that worked hard. When she was in high school, her guidance counselor suggested she study cosmetology. However, her father encouraged her to take a math class at Washtenaw Community College. This math course helped her build a strong foundation. It allowed her to transfer into engineering programs at the prestigious University of Michigan. Her father was also studying electrical engineering at the time, which greatly inspired Aisha.

Aisha earned her first degree in aerospace engineering in 2008. The very next year, in 2009, she completed her master's degree in space systems engineering. Both degrees were from the University of Michigan. During her advanced studies, a professor named Thomas Zurbuchen encouraged her to pursue a career at NASA.

Career Highlights and Innovations

Working at NASA

Aisha Bowe began her career at the Ames Research Center at NASA. She worked in a division that focused on flight paths and controls for aircraft. In 2009, she joined a group that developed special computer programs. These programs helped manage air traffic more efficiently. In 2012, she received an award from the National Society of Black Engineers. This award recognized her excellent technical work on a paper about fuel-efficient aircraft maneuvers.

While at NASA, Aisha also helped the Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA) Program. She mentored students, led workshops, and gave tours of NASA facilities. She loved inspiring young people.

Founding STEMBoard

Aisha Bowe is the founder and CEO of STEMBoard. This company offers expert advice and technology services to organizations. Many of its clients are part of the U.S. Government.

STEMBoard was named to Inc. Magazines Inc. 5000 list in 2020 and 2023. This list features the fastest-growing private companies in the United States. The company also received the Nunn-Perry Award in 2022 from the United States Department of Defense.

Creating LINGO for STEM Learning

In 2022, Aisha founded another company called LINGO. This education technology company creates fun, hands-on STEM learning kits. These kits help kids learn about science, technology, engineering, and math through projects. In 2024, LINGO successfully raised $2.3 million to grow its mission.

Inc. magazine recognized LINGO in 2022, naming Aisha to its Female Founders list. LINGO's coding kits have also been featured in WIRED magazine. WIRED included LINGO in its guide to the best subscription boxes for kids.

Inspiring Others: Public Engagement

Aisha Bowe (center) gives a motivational talk for the US Embassy in South Africa in 2019.

Aisha Bowe is passionate about inspiring others, especially in STEM. In February 2025, the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism invited her to a SpaceX rocket landing event. This was to recognize her work in supporting spaceflight and STEM in The Bahamas.

She also participates in international programs to promote STEM and diplomacy. Aisha is a speaker for the U.S. Department of State. She has given talks on STEM education, entrepreneurship, and space in many countries. These include South Africa, Mongolia, Kyrgyzstan, India, and Egypt.

Journey to Space: Blue Origin NS-31 Mission

Aisha Bowe with a biometric device during NS-31 flight training.

Aisha Bowe made history when she traveled with Blue Origin on the Blue Origin NS-31 mission in 2025. On this flight, she was a science payload operator. This means she helped with experiments for NASA's Translational Research Institute for Space Health (TRISH) and BioServe Space Technologies.

The mission carried seedlings of sweet potato, tomato, chickpea, and Arabidopsis plants. Scientists wanted to study how these plants' genes changed in microgravity (weightlessness). They compared them to plants on Earth. This research helps us understand how crops can grow in space for future space farming.

During her New Shepard mission, Aisha operated two scientific experiments. One was supported by NASA's TRISH. The other was a partnership with BioServe Space Technologies, Winston-Salem State University, and the Brazilian Space Agency.

Aisha Bowe became the sixth Black woman to cross the Kármán line. This line is the internationally recognized boundary of space. She was the first Black woman confirmed to travel with Blue Origin.

Aisha also carried special items on her mission. These included the personal American flag of Apollo 12 commander Pete Conrad. This flag was flown with permission from the Conrad family and the Museum of Flight. She also carried a University of Michigan flag.

In a 2024 interview, Aisha shared an inspiring story. She had mentored a 13-year-old girl who is now an aerospace engineer. This young woman even works for Blue Origin on the same rocket systems Aisha flew on!

Awards and Recognition

Aisha Bowe has received many awards for her work. These awards celebrate her contributions to aerospace engineering, her entrepreneurship, and her efforts in STEM education.