Dream and think big. Pursue your interests and never give up.

That was the message NASA astronaut Serena M. Auñon gave to a group of sixth-grade female students Friday afternoon.

Auñon was a guest speaker at the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, or STEM, Alliance event at Texas A&M International University.

To show what a little hard work and dedication can result in, she presented a video of women who work at NASA.

One by one, each woman gave a brief overview of their background and their job duties working at NASA.

From living in the International Space Station, to doctors, or conducting research, Auñon said there are many opportunities available in space.

In 2006, Auñon arrived at the Johnson Space Center as a flight surgeon under a University of Texas Medical Branch/Wyle Bioastronautics contract.

According to UTMB Health, physicians provide safety oversight and medical care for astronauts.

Auñon said math is not the only important subject used on an everyday basis at NASA. Spending more than nine months in Russia supporting medical operations for International Space Station, Auñon said astronauts have to learn English and other languages. In her case it was Russian.

Auñon also spoke about how astronauts are kept safe and healthy.

“We eat right, breathe clean air, exercise, work, sleep,” she said. “The only difference is when we get sick, we call a doctor.”

She explained that when an employee is very ill, they are sent back home to be taken care of.

Auñon received her bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from George Washington University. She received her doctorate of medicine from the University of Texas – Health Science Center.

In 2009, she was selected as one of 14 members of the 20th NASA astronaut class. In 2011, she graduated from Astronaut Candidate Training.

She currently serves in the International Space Station operations branch handling medical issues. She also serves in the Capsule Communicator Branch as a certified space station.

The STEM Alliance event, hosted by TAMIU and U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar, will continue this morning at the university.

Middle and high schools students will enjoy a variety of fun-filled activities such as creating a spaghetti marshmallow bridge building, testing voltage on batteries and creating a cage for an egg drop contest.