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NASA selects Florence student Reeves for regional scholars project Robert Reeves of Holmes Community College has been selected to travel to NASA's Stennis Space Center Oct. 17-20 to participate in the NASA Community College Aerospace Scholars project (NCAS). Reeves, a native of Florence, is in the Industrial Engineering Management Technology program on the Ridgeland Campus. His project over the summer was to design a rover to conduct scientific experiments on Mars.
"Ever since I was a child, I wanted to be an astronaut, like every other kid," Reeves said. "The difference is, I'm actually getting the opportunity to pursue that career. One of my instructors, Lynn Boykin, knew about my interests in aerospace engineering and informed me about the NASA program last spring. It has been a wonderful experience so far, and I am so grateful to her for all she has done to help me prepare for it. "
The five-week scholars program culminates with a four-day on-site event at Stennis Space Center and offers students the opportunity to interact with NASA engineers and others as they learn more about careers in science and engineering. While at NASA, students form teams and establish fictional companies interested in Mars exploration. Each team is responsible for developing and testing a prototype rover, forming a company infrastructure, managing a budget, and developing communications and outreach.
The on-site experience at NASA includes a tour of facilities and briefings by NASA subject matter experts. NASA Community College Aerospace Scholars is a project funded in part by the Minority University Research and Education Program, or MUREP, which is committed to the recruitment of underrepresented and underserved students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) to sustain a diverse workforce.
Reeves attributes his success to the 3D modeling experience he acquired in his Principles of CAD and Design for Manufacturing classes at Holmes. He says that these classes also allowed him to excel at his current job, working with his father in design and drafting.
With this project, NASA continues the agency's tradition of investing in the nation's educational programs. It is directly tied to the agency's major education goal of attracting and retaining students in STEM disciplines critical to NASA's future missions, which include missions to Mars and beyond.
"NCAS not only inspires community college students to advance in STEM fields, but it also opens doors for future careers at NASA," said Tania B. Davis, Minority University Research and Education Project (MUREP) Manager. "NCAS has a legacy of alumni moving from NASA internships to and ultimately entering the NASA workforce. It is rewarding to see the progression of a student from NCAS participant to NASA colleague."
For additional information, please contact National Community College Aerospace Scholars by email at JSC-NCAS@mail.nasa.gov or by phone at (281) 483-0493. For more information, visit: http://ncas.aerospacescholars.org/. For more on MUREP visit:nasa.gov/education/murep.
For more information about the Industrial Engineering Management Technology program on the Holmes Ridgeland Campus, contact Lynn Boykin at (601) 605-3335 or lboykin@holmescc.edu.Save Save Save
