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Emily Calandrelli is the 100th woman to fly to space, and an MIT-engineer turned Emmy-nominated science TV host. She’s the Host and Co-Executive Producer of Emily’s Wonder Lab on Netflix, she's featured as a correspondent on Netflix’s Bill Nye Saves the World and an Executive Producer and host of FOX's Xploration Outer Space. Emily is the author of the picture book Reach for the Stars, the science experiment book Stay Curious and Keep Exploring, and the science chapter book series, the Ada Lace Adventures. The third book in the series was launched to the International Space Station through the Story Time from Space program.
Emily is also a professional speaker who has spoken at venues like Google, Pixar, MIT, Texas Instruments, CERN, SXSW EDU and dozens of K-12 schools and Universities around the country. She focuses her talks on the topics of science communication, space exploration, and women in STEM. Her 3 TEDx talks are available on YouTube.
Emily's educational background is in engineering and policy. At West Virginia University she received bachelors in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. While at WVU she was awarded the Goldwater scholarship for research and Truman scholarship for policy work.
She received her Masters from MIT in Aeronautics and Astronautics as well as Technology and Policy.
Emily’s bio for kids’ school projects
If your child is featuring Emily in a school project (like a living Wax Museum or for Women’s History Month), they might find this version of her bio useful!
Emily was born on May 18th, 1987 in Morgantown, West Virginia. As a kid, she loved both art and math. She attended West Virginia University for undergrad where she earned bachelor degrees in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. Then, she went to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to get Masters degrees in Aeronautics & Astronautics Enginering and also Technology and Policy. Today, she’s most known as the host of Netflix’s Emily’s Wonder Lab and the 100th woman to fly to space.
Emily is a professional speaker who has given 3 TEDx talks and keynotes all over the world.
Emily is the host and co-creator of Netlfix’s Emily’s Wonder Lab, which she filmed 9 months pregnant.
Emily now lives in Northern Virginia with her husband Tom, and their three children.
Emily is the author of 9 children’s science books: Reach for the Stars, the Ada Lace Adventures chapter book series, and the Stay Curious and Keep Exploring science experiment book series, which was a #1 NYTimes Best Seller.
Emily is the creator of Emily’s Science Lab - a YouTube channel with family friendly science experiments.
Emily helped create a bill called the BABES Enhancement Act to protect traveling moms. That bill passed into law in 2026.
Emily was the first woman in the United States to solo-host a nationally broadcast science show when she became the host of Xploration Outer Space back in 2014. She is now the Emmy-nominated host and Executive Prodcuer of Xploration Outer Space which has been on air for over a decade (on FOX, Amazon Prime, and more)
Emily is wildly passionate about space exploration. Through Xploration Outer Space, she wants to prove that the space industry is more exciting today than ever before in history. Through Emily’s Wonder Lab, she wants all kids to feel emboldened by their curiosity. As the host of these programs, Emily works to explain science-related topics in an easily digestible, and entertaining, way.
Increasing the level of scientific literacy among the general public is also something Emily cares deeply about. She believes that everyone, despite their educational background, can understand scientific topics. Emily hopes to convince more people of this and foster a higher level of scientific literacy in society through her work.
Lastly, Emily wants to inspire more women and girls to pursue STEM careers and help them find the support that they need to fulfill their dreams in these fields. Over the years, many factors have deterred women, particularly women of color, from pursuing certain careers in STEM. Through her work, Emily hopes to address those factors and help make STEM a more welcoming environment for everyone.
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Emily's 1st TEDx Talk
Do you need to be a scientist to be STEM literate? STEM education is critical in the modern world. Emily Calandrelli talks about the importance of STEM literacy, and recognizing the negative impacts of pseudoscience.
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Emily's 2nd TEDx Talk
Opening for TEDxIndianaUniversity was Xploration Outer Space producer and star, Emily Calandrelli’s tongue in cheek summary of why space exploration is actually a misguided and empty pursuit, upon which billions of dollars are wasted every year.
