Photo credit: www.nasa.gov
NASA Expands Student Involvement in Aviation Research
NASA has initiated a new phase in its University Student Research Challenge (USRC) by selecting two university teams to tackle real-world aviation research projects aimed at enhancing the safety and efficiency of air travel in communities.
This latest round is particularly significant as it marks the inaugural award given to a community college, specifically Cerritos Community College, highlighting an expanded outreach initiative to tap into diverse student backgrounds and experiences.
Encouraging Diverse Talent in Aeronautics
Steven Holz, the project manager overseeing the USRC awards, expressed the importance of community colleges in cultivating fresh talent for the aeronautics sector. He stated, “We’re trying to tap into the community college talent pool to bring new students to the table for aeronautics.” Holz emphasized that innovation in the field benefits from diverse perspectives and experiences, especially those offered by students from varied educational backgrounds.
The USRC provides students with the chance to engage meaningfully with real-world research environments. Participants will not only manage their own research initiatives but also leverage cutting-edge technology while collaborating with experienced professionals in the aeronautical research field. Their unique contributions are aimed at aligning with NASA’s overarching research goals.
Building Entrepreneurial Skills Alongside Research
The program transcends mere technical training, as each selected team is awarded funding from NASA while facing the additional challenge of public fundraising through student-led initiatives. This crowdfunding aspect is designed to cultivate essential skills in entrepreneurship and public communication among the participants.
Research Projects and Teams
The newly selected teams and their corresponding research projects are as follows:
One team from Cerritos Community College is leading a project titled “Project F.I.R.E. (Fire Intervention Retardant Expeller),” which focuses on developing eco-friendly fire-retardant pellets that can be deployed from drones to help combat wildfires. The team, under the guidance of faculty mentor Janet McLarty-Schroeder, includes student members Angel Ortega Barrera, Larisa Mayoral, Paola Mayoral Jimenez, Jenny Rodriguez, Logan Stahl, and Juan Villa. This collaboration has previously participated in NASA’s Gateway to Blue Skies competition, which fosters connections among universities and industry partners.
Another initiative, titled “Design and Prototyping of a 9-phase Dual-Rotor Motor for Supersonic Electric Turbofan,” is being undertaken by a team from the Colorado School of Mines. This project aims to develop a scaled prototype of an electric turbofan engine suitable for supersonic aircraft. The team is led by Mahzad Gholamian and includes members Garret Reader, Mykola Mazur, and Mirali Seyedrezaei, with guidance from their faculty mentor Omid Beik.
For more detailed information about USRC awards, including proposal guidelines and submission processes, interested parties can visit the NASA Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate solicitation page.
Source
www.nasa.gov