SALINAS VALLEY — Hartnell College Foundation’s K-12 STEAM Program has received two significant accolades: the NASA Community College Aerospace Scholars award and Salinas City Elementary School District recognition for involvement in the implementation of the Invention Convention competition.
Hartnell is one of 10 community colleges nationwide to receive the NASA MUREP Partnership Learning Annual Notification (MPLAN) award of $50,000 to become a NASA Community College Aerospace Scholar (NCAS).
The funding will launch the “From AgTech to Space Tech” Robotics Entrepreneurship Challenge, a groundbreaking competition where more than 40 Central Coast college students will design not only robots but also their practical applications — integrating engineering with entrepreneurship. Participants will receive stipends and compete for monetary prizes, bringing innovation to life.
“We are truly honored to receive NASA’s MPLAN award,” said Ana Ibarra-Castro, director of K-12 STEAM Program. “The AgTech to Space Tech project will allow students to take part in an exciting robotics competition that not only builds technical skills in robotics and engineering but also sparks creativity and entrepreneurship through a pitch challenge. We can’t wait to see the imagination, talent and innovation our students will bring to life.”
The award builds on the momentum of a record-breaking summer for the NASA MUREP Aerospace Academy (MAA) at Hartnell College, which engaged more than 170 high school students across the Alisal and King City campuses. Students participated in hands-on aerospace engineering projects, such as acoustic damping, joined field trips and presented research at a symposium — gaining early exposure to the STEM fields shaping the future.
NASA projects that in the next five years, it will need 1 million workers to support its missions and initiatives. Through NASA MAA and the new Robotics Entrepreneurship Challenge, Hartnell College and the Foundation’s K-12 STEAM Program is helping prepare the next generation of problem-solvers, innovators and workforce leaders.
“Looking ahead, we are excited about the continued opportunities NASA will provide as it develops its future workforce,” added Ibarra-Castro.
Invention Convention Innovators Award
The K-12 STEAM Program also received a special recognition from the Salinas City Elementary School District. At a recent school board meeting, the district Director of Extended Learning Chloe Johnson presented the team with the Invention Convention Innovators Award.
“Experiences like the California Invention Convention help shift students’ outlook on the future from limited options to infinite possibilities,” Johnson said. “We’re especially proud that 15 of our students advanced from our local Invention Convention to the Northern California State Competition in Sacramento, where five of them earned awards for their innovative ideas.”
Ibarra-Castro said she is proud of her team, which includes program coordinators Lupita Arroyo and Andrea Sanchez.
“It is a true honor to serve the students at the Salinas City Elementary School District,” she said. “Leaders such as Chloe Johnson, Superintendent Rebeca Andrade and the many dedicated administrators and educators are paving the way for a thriving student population — one that will ultimately strengthen and uplift our entire community. We are deeply grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the district’s vision and to be part of this important work.”
For more information about K-12 STEAM Program, contact Ibarra-Castro at ai*****@***********************on.org.
