Reading: a Canadian astronaut’s adventure of a lifetime

Catherine Fortin Major, Ottawa Citizen

Published: Monday, August 28, 2006

In the next few days, Canadian astronaut Steve MacLean will blast off
into space for the second time in his life. Aboard the Space Shuttle
Atlantis destined for the International Space Station, MacLean will
become the first Canadian to operate the Canadarm2 and the second to
perform a spacewalk.

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If you bumped into Steve MacLean at your local public library, you
probably wouldn’t guess that he is an accomplished laser physicist, or a
career astronaut for that matter. His profession may be surprising to
some because MacLean’s well-rounded attitude and his appreciation for
literature defy the common stereotype of the narrowly-focused and
introverted scientist. In fact, Steve credits his passion for science to
the sense of adventure that was instilled in him at a very young age
through reading. “You start reading,” he says, “and it becomes the
adventure of a lifetime if you continue to do it.”

MacLean claims his many trips as a child to the Ottawa Public Library to
read books like Treasure Island, Sinbad and the Seven Seas and Never Cry
Wolf inspired him to want to be a part of something meaningful and
special as an adult. He also credits reading to allowing him to see the
bigger picture in life and getting a better understanding of different
points of view and cultures.

“Reading had a huge impact on my space career,” says MacLean. “And I
find that people who read a lot—even among the astute engineers and
scientists here at the Space Agency—are often the most interesting people.”

Contrary to many of his present colleagues, MacLean admits that his
desire to be an astronaut did not originate as a child. Instead, it was
his co-workers in the science field who encouraged him to apply to the
Space Program in 1984. In fact, when Steve wasn’t in the library, he
spent much of his time in the gym and eventually earned himself a spot
on the Canadian National Gymnastics Team. One day, he wondered how good
he could become at something else if he worked as hard at it as he did
with gymnastics. So he decided to try a little experiment where he
studied mathematics as hard as he could and read up on everything that
was related to that subject. Needless to say, he eventually became
pretty good at math and decided to make a career out of it.

Despite focusing his academic studies on math and science, MacLean says
reading has had, and continues to have, an important place in his life
and played a central role in developing him as the well-rounded person
that he has come to be. As a graduate student at York University, Steve
admits to taking breaks from his technical study in the computer labs by
going to the library, which was next door. There, he would make his way
to the mountain climbing or Arctic explorer sections, open any book at
random, and learn about something new that was totally unrelated to his
scientific course of study. MacLean saw this as a relaxation break as
well as an opportunity to advance his career by helping him “better
relate in the world,” as he puts it.

And being able to “better relate in the world” is precisely why MacLean
feels reading is so critical to a child’s development. “Reading really
has made a difference for me,” he says, “and it’s really why I want to
be a part of what the Canadian libraries are doing.” Steve’s latest
projects involve an essay contest for students aged nine to fourteen
titled, “Launch Your Future with Reading,” as well as the conception of
an electronic library for children’s space-related works and other
educational materials which will be housed on the Canadian Space Agency
website. By participating in projects like these, the astronaut hopes
that young people will make the link between reading, science and
creativity, and realize that reading can have a huge impact on their
future, as it did with his.

Specifically, MacLean’s message to students is that you don’t have to be
an Einstein to succeed. “You just have to be a journeyman who works
hard,” he says. And according to MacLean, to be a true journeyman or
journeywoman you have to hit up your local public library and read.
Through his work with the public libraries, Steve hopes kids will learn
that seeing the big picture and understanding how and why people think
differently is forever beneficial, regardless of the career—or
planet—you choose to work on.

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For more information about the Launch Your Future with Reading Contest,
visit the CLA website at www.cla.ca, and for more information about
Steve MacLean and his mission, visit the Canadian Space Agency website
at www.space.gc.ca.

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Catherine Fortin Major is a communications associate with Impact Public
Affairs in Ottawa.