Hi! My name is Shakira Brown. I was raised by a single mom in Newark, N.J. When I grew up, I became a teacher. One of my most important goals as a teacher is to bring science into the school day.

I have worked with many different science organizations. I worked with NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. We developed new science lesson for inner-city classrooms. I am the East Coast Coordinator for the Urban Science Corps Program.

Now, I am a teacher at the Harlem Children's Zone Promise Academy in New York City. I teach middle school. I will be leaving my students for two months to go to Antarctica. How would you feel if your teacher went away for two months?

I love science. I am very excited about this trip to Antarctica. Only a few African-American women have ever traveled to Antarctica to do scientific research. I am proud to be a member of this team.