College of Lake County student selected for NASA's Aerospace Scholars visit
Nathaniel Leichty, a College of Lake County Honors Scholar from Wauconda, was one of 171 U.S. community college students selected to participate in the NASA Community College Aerospace Scholars on-site experience, Feb. 13-16 at the Johnson Space Center in Houston.
Leichty qualified by completing an online application and finishing a five-week, online course that culminated in three essay questions covering NASA's plans to send humans to explore Mars and safely return them to Earth.
"I'm very excited to have been chosen for the NASA experience," Leichty said. "I follow the ventures of both NASA and SpaceX, the California-based rocket manufacturer and space transport company. As a geology major, I look forward to seeing how geologic science is used in space missions, in efforts such as examining rocks and minerals on the moon or other planets."
Leichty and his peers will meet with NASA engineers and others to learn more about careers in science and engineering. Additionally, students will form teams and establish fictitious 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 also includes briefings by NASA subject matter experts, information on how to apply for internships and a tour of NASA facilities.
A CLC Scholar and 2016 graduate of Wauconda High School, Leichty said he learned of the NASA opportunity from Dr. Nick Schevera, CLC English professor and Honors Program adviser. After completing a four-year degree in geology, Leichty plans to earn graduate degrees in either geology or another earth science field and work as a scientist for either a federal agency or a nonprofit organization.
Four late-starting earth science courses at CLC - in general earth science, physical geology, oceanography and environmental geology - will begin in February or March and end in early May.
For details, visit www.clcillinois.edu/latestart.
For information on the Honors as well as the Scholars programs, visit www.clcillinois.edu/honors.