Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) will host NASA astronaut and Massachusetts native Stephen G. Bowen for a special program titled “Hands-On Engineering in the Most Demanding Environments: Engineering, Grit, and the Power of Innovation.” The event will take place on Thursday, December 11, 2025, from 5:00 to 6:15 p.m. in the historic Higgins House Great Hall.
The program is presented by the USS Massachusetts Commissioning Foundation, in collaboration with WPI, as part of ongoing efforts to connect students with real-world engineering challenges and the future of national security, defense technology, and space exploration.
Bowen, a former U.S. Navy submariner and veteran NASA astronaut, is the first submariner ever selected by NASA. He has logged more than 40 days in space and performed multiple spacewalks during missions to the International Space Station, making him uniquely positioned to discuss engineering and leadership in high-stakes, high-pressure environments.
During the event, Bowen will share insights from two extraordinary worlds:
- the deep-sea environment of the Navy’s most advanced submarines, including the upcoming USS Massachusetts (SSN-798), and
- the microgravity environment of low-Earth orbit aboard the International Space Station.
His talk will highlight how hands-on problem-solving, iterative engineering, and multidisciplinary collaboration drive technological breakthroughs in both domains. Bowen will also discuss the growing demand for engineering, cybersecurity, advanced manufacturing, and systems-thinking talent—and how today’s students will shape the next generation of defense innovations, scientific discovery, and space exploration.
The program is designed for students in mechanical, electrical, aerospace, and robotics engineering; computer science and cybersecurity; manufacturing and materials science; ROTC and veteran communities; and innovation or entrepreneurship programs. All WPI students, faculty, and staff are invited to attend.
Doors will open at 4:30 p.m., with time for networking and informal conversation following the talk. Please RSVP here https://www.ussmassachusetts.org/events.
This event offers the WPI community a unique opportunity to hear firsthand how engineering excellence and mission-driven teamwork operate in the most challenging environments imaginable—from the ocean depths to outer space—and how Massachusetts’ own legacy of innovation continues to shape both.
