Aisha Bowe facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Aisha Bowe
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Bowe after talk for the US Embassy South Africa in 2019
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| Born | November 4, 1986 |
| Alma mater | University of Michigan |
| Organization | STEMBoard |
| Known for | Aerospace Engineering, Entrepreneurship and Innovation |
Aisha Bowe (born November 4, 1986) is an amazing aerospace engineer, a champion for STEM education, and a successful business owner. She is also a space traveler! Aisha is the founder and CEO of STEMBoard, a company that works with technology. She also started LINGO, an educational company that helps kids learn about tech. In 2020, STEMBoard was recognized as one of the fastest-growing private companies in the U.S.
Aisha Bowe has received many awards for her work. These include the NASA Equal Employment Opportunity Medal and the US Women's Chamber of Commerce Emerging Star Award.
On April 14, 2025, Aisha Bowe flew into space with Blue Origin. This made her the first Black woman confirmed to travel with Blue Origin. She also became the sixth Black woman to cross the Kármán line, which is the official boundary of space.
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Aisha Bowe's Early Life and Education
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 become a cosmetologist. So, Aisha first went to Washtenaw Community College.
However, her father encouraged her to take a math class. This math class helped Aisha build a strong foundation. Because of this, she was able to transfer into engineering programs at the University of Michigan.
Aisha earned her first degree in aerospace engineering in 2008. She then completed her master's degree in space systems engineering in 2009. Both of these degrees were from the University of Michigan. Aisha says that her love for science fiction helped her choose aerospace engineering. One of her professors, Thomas Zurbuchen, guided her and inspired her to work at NASA.
Aisha Bowe's Career Journey
Aisha Bowe worked at Ames Research Center, which is part of NASA. She joined the Flight and Fluid Mechanics group in 2009. There, she helped create computer programs to manage air traffic. In 2012, she won an award from the National Society of Black Engineers. This was for her paper on making aircraft flights more fuel-efficient. Aisha, who is Bahamian-American, hopes to see more Bahamians working in science and technology.
While at NASA, she also helped with the Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA) Program. In this role, she guided students and led tours of NASA facilities.
Aisha is also part of the U.S. State Department Speaker Program. Through this program, she has given talks in countries like South Africa, Israel, and Kuwait.
In 2024, STEM FOR HER named Aisha Bowe their Woman of the Year. This was for her important work in aerospace engineering. It was also for her efforts to inspire young women in STEM. She also received the Luminary Award at Black Enterprise's Women of Power Summit. Essence Magazine also named her one of their POWER 40.
Aisha Bowe traveled with Blue Origin on April 14, 2025. She shared this mission with other guests like Gayle King and Katy Perry.
In an interview, Aisha shared a cool story. She once mentored a 13-year-old girl. That girl is now an aerospace engineer working for Blue Origin. She even works on the same type of rockets that Aisha flew on!
In February 2025, a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket booster landed near the Exumas in The Bahamas. Aisha Bowe was invited to witness this event. She was recognized for her work in creating space rules for The Bahamas. She also helps create opportunities in STEM fields there.
Aisha Bowe is a member of the National Society of Black Engineers. She is also a certified Program Management Professional. Outside of work, she is a certified SSI scuba diver and loves mountain climbing.
About STEMBoard
Aisha Bowe is a co-founder and the CEO of STEMBoard. This company helps U.S. Government organizations with technology advice. STEMBoard was started in 2013. It is a small business owned by women. The U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce supports it.
In 2020, STEMBoard was listed on Inc. Magazine's Inc. 5000 list. This list features the fastest-growing private companies. The company also received the Nunn-Perry Award in 2022. This award is given by the United States Department of Defense.
About LINGO
Aisha Bowe started LINGO, an education technology company, in 2022. LINGO creates fun, project-based activities for kids. These activities come in kits, like a coding kit that teaches how to design hardware and software. Kids can learn at their own speed. The first kit was called "In the Driver's Seat." It taught kids how to create and code a back-up sensor for a self-driving car. LINGO provides these kits to children in over 10 countries.
Awards and Recognition
Aisha Bowe has been honored for her contributions to engineering. She has also been recognized for promoting diversity and equal opportunity. Some of her awards include:
- 2024 - STEM for Her's Woman of the Year
- 2023 - Washington Business Journal 40 Under 40
- 2023 – Black Business Leaders Award by Virginia Business Magazine
- 2022 – Inc. magazine's Female Founders 100
- 2020 - Entrepreneur of the Year by the Black Data Processing Associates (BDPA) of Washington, D.C.
- 2020 - Outstanding Alumna Award, Department of Aerospace Engineering, University of Michigan
- 2020 - INC 5000 2020 List of Fastest Growing Companies
- 2015 - US Women's Chamber of Commerce "Emerging Star" Award
- 2014 - Silicon Valley's National Coalition of 100 Black Women's Women in Technology of the Year Award
- 2012 - NASA's Engineering Honor Award
- 2012 - NASA Equal Employment Opportunity Medal
See also
In Spanish: Aisha Bowe para niños
