SALINAS — Hartnell College’s K-12 STEAM Program hosted three NASA Integrated Engineering Challenges last month as part of the NASA Community College Aerospace Scholars (NCAS) program, one of only 10 institutions selected nationwide.
The program concluded Jan. 16 at Hartnell’s STEM Building with a rover testing showcase.
The engineering experience focused on design, iteration, teamwork and problem-solving. Participating students developed technical research posters, presented their work in a symposium-style setting and created autonomous rovers.
NCAS is a highly selective NASA initiative for college students pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). At Hartnell, students represented disciplines including mechanical, computer and civil engineering, as well as physics and computer science.
“NCAS gave me the opportunity to step into a leadership role and explore areas of engineering I hadn’t considered before,” said Sofia Beltran Espino, a program mentor. “This program opened my eyes to mechanical and systems-based engineering.”
The program featured three integrated engineering challenges designed to mirror real-world aerospace missions:
- Autonomous Rover Challenge: Students designed and built rovers capable of operating autonomously;
- Sensor & Data Collection Challenge: Participants integrated sensors to collect and analyze environmental data; and
- Planetary Resource Challenge: Teams created systems to harvest water or ice for simulated Mars or lunar missions.
The interdisciplinary approach reflects the collaborative nature of modern aerospace engineering. Students also received stipends, mentorship and participated in a hands-on industry field trip to Jovy Aviation in Marina, gaining exposure to aviation operations, aerospace systems and industry practices.
“Using my knowledge to help the students is number one,” said Tito Polo, Hartnell College and NCAS principal investigator. “But guiding the students to work with bigger rovers and to make them work is a challenging but rewarding experience.”
Final student presentations are scheduled for Pi Day during Hartnell College’s 20th Annual STEAM Family Science Day on Saturday, March 14, where students will share their work with families, educators, community members and industry partners.
Hartnell College Foundation’s K-12 STEAM Programs aim to cultivate regional STEM capacity through curriculum development, educator training and student engagement, ranging from robotics and aerospace to biotechnology and invention education.
