SALINAS — Hartnell College’s Main Campus buzzed with excitement on July 19, as nearly 90 high school students showcased their work through poster presentations and rover simulations, marking the culmination of a six-week STEM summer camp.
This event was part of the NASA MUREP (Minority University Research and Education Project) Aerospace Academy, which Hartnell was selected to participate in, being one of only two community colleges in the nation to receive this prestigious grant.
The program, initially designed to serve 25 students, ultimately accommodated 90 participants.
Throughout the camp, held on Fridays from June 14 to July 19, students engaged in scientific and engineering investigations, networking with STEM professionals and exploring college readiness and career opportunities. They worked with NASA’s SCoPE (SMD Community of Practice for Education) research project to design and 3D print lunar rover wheels, tested their designs in regolith simulators and analyzed the collected data.
“This year, students worked with curriculum from NASA’s SCoPE research project to design and 3D print a lunar rover wheel,” said Ana Ibarra-Castro, director of K-12 STEAM programs for the Hartnell College Foundation. “The designs were tested in regolith simulators, allowing students to collect and analyze data.”
Participants explored 3D printing modalities, created rover wheels using TinkerCAD, worked with regolith-like substances that simulate moon rocks and networked with STEM professionals.
Leading the summer academy was Professor Brian Palmer of Hartnell College. The final day featured a symposium with a panel of inspiring speakers, including Patrick Dobbins, public works director/city engineer for the City of Gonzales; Omar Perez, workforce development partner at Joby Aviation; and Mauro Villalobos, senior manufacturing equipment engineer at Joby Aviation.
Presented by the Hartnell College Foundation, the camp concluded with the delivery of certificates and letters of recommendation, highlighting the students’ achievements and preparing them for future STEM opportunities.
The NASA MUREP Aerospace Academy grant is a significant achievement for Hartnell, selected from a pool of nine grantees. This initiative expands Hartnell’s K-12 STEAM program, which has primarily focused on K-6 grade levels, to provide high school students with exposure to NASA’s latest research projects, career exploration and readiness opportunities.
The effort is in collaboration with Hartnell College STEM, Upward Bound and The Career Hub.
Correction: An earlier version of this story stated the incorrect location of the event.
I loved the article, but there is just one slight mistake, none of this actually happened in Soledad, everything was done here in Salinas. I am the student that was in the first picture on the far right. I dont know if you would like to correct this but I just wanted ti ket you know.