Meet Shana Brown: A rare mix of engineer and artist
Concordia engineering student and Whiteway, NL native Shana Brown stands out for her dual passions: rocket science and folk-inspired music. As a co-leader of Space Concordia’s Rocketry Division, she pushes the edges of student-led exploration while also performing and writing music that blends folk, pop, and country. This 20-question interview dives into how she navigates college life, rockets, and melodies.
1) What drew you to aerospace engineering?
“Science and space have always fascinated me,” Shana says. “Aerospace engineering feels like the perfect playground to combine curiosity with tangible outcomes, whether it’s designing a small test rocket or studying propulsion systems.” The path has required late nights, rigorous math, and a constant hunger to understand how things work beyond the classroom chalkboard.
2) How did Space Concordia become a part of your journey?
Shana describes Space Concordia as a community that treats ambitious ideas like real projects. Co-leading the Rocketry Division means coordinating teams, tests, and documentation, all while maintaining a safety-first mindset. The experience offers hands-on engineering that complements her coursework and gives real-world context to her studies.
3) What does a typical week look like for you?
Between classes, lab work, and rocket tests, days are busy but structured. There’s time carved out for music practice and songwriting, which acts as a creative counterbalance to the precision-driven world of engineering.
4) How does your hometown influence your work?
Growing up in Whiteway, Newfoundland and Labrador, Shana learned resilience and collaboration in a smaller community. Those traits translate into leadership roles within Space Concordia and in music circles where teamwork and feedback loops matter as much as individual talent.
5) What’s a project you’re especially proud of?
She highlights a recent team configuration or test that demonstrated robust problem-solving under pressure. It wasn’t just the technical success but the process—planning, testing, learning from missteps—that stood out as a milestone in her engineering journey.
6) What role does music play in your life?
Music is more than a hobby; it’s a creative outlet that informs her approach to problem-solving. Writing songs about space, science, and personal growth helps her articulate complex ideas and connect with others beyond the lab.
7) How do you balance academics and performances?
Time management is key. Shana treats practice sessions like classes with deadlines, ensuring that performance commitments don’t derail her coursework. The discipline from engineering studies actually strengthens her music routine.
8) Do science and art feed each other?
Yes. Shana explains that scientific curiosity fuels lyrical themes, while musical structure benefits from the same attention to detail expected in engineering design. The two domains cross-pollinate in unexpected, inspiring ways.
9) What challenges have you faced as a student leader?
Leading a diverse group of students requires listening, organization, and clear safety protocols. She emphasizes mentorship and building a culture where experimentation thrives within well-defined boundaries.
10) What advice would you give aspiring engineers and musicians?
Follow curiosity with discipline. Build a routine that honors both passions, seek mentors, and don’t fear starting projects that feel risky. Incremental progress compounds into meaningful momentum.
11) How does collaboration shape your work?
Collaboration is the backbone of both rocket projects and music gigs. Shared ideas accelerate learning, and the feedback loop from teammates helps refine designs and melodies alike.
12) What instruments do you play?
Shana plays a range of folk-friendly instruments and experiments with guitar and voice to craft catchy, story-driven songs that echo her space-themed fascination.
13) What’s one thing you’d change about STEM culture?
She hopes for more inclusive spaces where students from diverse backgrounds can contribute openly, experiment freely, and learn from mistakes without fear of judgment.
14) What fuels your persistence?
Curiosity, community, and the thrill of discovery keep her going. The small wins—completing a test, landing a good riff, helping a peer—add up to lasting motivation.
15) How do you unwind after a long day?
Music practice, a quiet walk, and reflection help reset. The rhythm of a song provides a calming counterweight to the intensity of engineering work.
16) How do you see your career unfolding?
Shana envisions a future where space research and music intersect—perhaps in outreach programs that inspire younger students, or in projects that apply sound design to aerospace testing and simulations.
17) What’s your mindset when tests don’t go as planned?
Resilience and analysis. She emphasizes documenting what happened, learning from it, and iterating rather than dwelling on the setback.
18) Who inspires you?
Mentors, peers, and family who encourage risk-taking and curiosity provide steady encouragement. Their belief helps her stay the course when challenges arise.
19) What do you hope readers take away?
Ambition can be multidisciplinary. You don’t have to choose between science and art—dual passions are possible, rewarding, and increasingly valuable in a connected world.
20) Final thought?
Shana Brown’s world demonstrates that the line between engineering and artistry is porous. By leading with curiosity, embracing collaboration, and nurturing both rockets and melodies, she’s shaping a future where science and song propel one another forward.
