* guest speakers subject to change
DR. KIRBY RUNYON
Research Scientist, Planetary Science Institute
Dr. Kirby Runyon is a planetary geologist whose research explores landforms across Mars, the Moon, Pluto, and beyond. A member of NASA’s New Horizons mission, he is also a passionate science communicator, leading zero-gravity flight experiences and astrogeology tours. At the Planetary Science Institute, he combines research with outreach to inspire public curiosity about planetary science.
JACKIE BLUMER
CEO, STEM4U2; Educator Ambassador, Limitless Space Institute (LSI) and Air & Space Forces Association (AFA)
Cape Canaveral, Bastrop, & Brownsville Week 1
With over 25 years of experience, Jackie Blumer is a Nationally Board Certified educator, 2024 AFA Illinois State Teacher of the Year, and CEO of STEM4U2, an aerospace STEM outreach organization. As the St. Louis K-12 STEM coordinator for the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics and an Educator Ambassador for LSI and AFA, she specializes in high-energy aerospace science education. Jackie also serves ARISS-USA and is excited to return as a Guide of the Galaxy for Camp BTX 2026.
Megan Tucker
Cape Canaveral + Bastrop, & Brownsville Week 1
With over 21 years in education, Megan Tucker serves as an Educator Ambassador for the Limitless Space Institute. She is dedicated to inspiring students and educators in STEAM, engineering, and aerospace education, leveraging her extensive experience in hands-on, project-based learning to spark curiosity, fuel innovation, and promote a deeper understanding of space exploration and the engineering design process. She is especially passionate about empowering our youngest learners, helping them build confidence as creative thinkers, problem-solvers, and future-ready innovators.
Claudia Cortez
Cape Canaveral, Bastrop, & Brownsville Week 1
An Engineer by profession with 17 years of education experience, Claudia Cortez has been teaching CTE Engineering courses for high school students in Brownsville ISD. She is a Limitless Space Institute Education Ambassador and Space Foundation Liaison, with a diverse professional background in engineering education. Her students have competed in NASA HUNCH, Technology Student Association and VEX Robotics competitions earning regional, state and national achievements. As a highly recognized educator, she is the 2025 BISD Teacher of the Year and a Texas TIA Exemplary Teacher, known for her dedication to expanding equitable STEM opportunities and preparing students for future careers in engineering and technology
KIRBY RUNYON
Brownsville Week 2
Dr. Kirby Runyon is a life-long space cadet and loves sharing his passion about the Moon and planets with everyone. In Dr. Kirby's research as a NASA-funded research scientist in planetary geology, he maps the Moon, does zero-gravity experiments in impact cratering, and was even the first person to discover mountains on Pluto as part of the New Horizons mission. Dr. Kirby also leads planetary geology expeditions to New Mexico where teachers, students, astronauts, and enthusiasts can explore the Moon, Mars, and other planets in person--without leaving Earth. In fact, that's the topic of his upcoming book titled, "How to Vacation in Space Without Leaving Earth." Dr. Kirby has been a CampBTX Guide of the Galaxy since 2024 and lives in Washington, DC.