MiraCosta College is proud to announce that it has been awarded a prestigious grant from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), allowing its students to engage in groundbreaking space-related projects and interact with NASA scientists. This grant is part of the California Space Grant Consortium's initiative, aimed at broadening the participation of individuals and higher education institutions in aerospace science and technology.
As one of only 15 community colleges in California selected for this honor, MiraCosta College received an $8,000 grant, which will support the endeavors of twelve exceptional students participating in the space grant program this summer. Organized into teams of four, these students will embark on innovative projects utilizing Arduino microcomputer kits to build microcontrollers. Their projects will align with NASA’s Artemis moon exploration program, the earth sciences, or deep space missions.
Each project team will benefit from regular webinars with NASA engineers, providing invaluable insights and guidance. In addition to their hands-on project work, the students will present their findings in a virtual symposium in August and visit NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory near Pasadena. Each student will be awarded a $650 scholarship upon completing the program.
“It’s been a great experience for the students,” said Academic Services Coordinator Theresa Romano, who is administering the grant for MiraCosta College. “They’re really engaged with what they’re doing, planning and researching their projects. It’s a really unique opportunity.”
The program is led by esteemed Computer Science faculty members Nery Chapetón-Lamas and Eduardo Marsical, with additional support from MiraCosta’s MESA (Math Engineering Science Achievement) program, which provides meeting, workspace, and essential supplies for the students.
One of the program participants, a computer science major Oscar Silva, expressed his excitement about the project. Silva’s team is developing a rover capable of collecting samples on Mars, incorporating machine learning to analyze the samples. “It’s so cool,” Silva remarked. “Everyone dreams of working for NASA, so having some experience with NASA is everything.”
Silva also highlighted the inspiration he drew from NASA scientists. “Some of them went to community college like me, and they never expected to work for NASA,” he said. “It’s really inspirational, and I can see myself doing that as well.”
This NASA grant exemplifies MiraCosta College’s commitment to transforming lives and communities through innovative education and exceptional opportunities. By providing students with real-world experience and direct interaction with industry leaders, MiraCosta College continues to foster an environment where dreams take flight and futures are built. The college’s dedication to student success and community enrichment is evident in programs like this, empowering students to reach new heights and contribute meaningfully to the world of aerospace science and beyond.
