York College's remote NASA program helps local kids reach for the stars
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A NASA MUREP participant shows off the model satellite he created. Photo via NASA MUREP
By Teresa Mettela
High school senior Violeta Escandon has always been interested in a career in science and engineering. But when COVID closed schools and limited her extracurricular activities, she wondered how she could pursue her passion during the summer.
A guidance counselor recommended she check out a York College program sponsored by NASA. She was hooked.
“In high school, I took an electrical engineering and a mechanical engineering course, but the NASA program took those concepts to a whole new level,” Escandon said. “I was able to combine the things I learned from junior year and make something from scratch.”
The NASA Minority University Research and Education Project Aerospace Academy at York College, known as the MAA, was created as a national movement to increase participation among K-12 students from communities underserved and underrepresented in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math. The program specifically aims to attract young people of color from low and middle-income communities.
The COVID-19 pandemic in Queens jeopardized this summer’s program, but organizers and program sponsor AT&T decided to make the learning environment work remotely.
“Since everyone is at home there’s a lot of flexibility and everyone is so willing to work with your schedule,” said Escandon. “It also feels comfortable working with instructors who are closer in age to me.”
Escandon's experience meshes with the program's mission statement of delivering high-quality STEM education across the United States.
“We want to encourage kids to study all different kinds of science and tech as well as motivate them to pursue college studies in tech,” said Robin White, AT&T’s director of external affairs for Westchester and New York City.
Jamaica, where York College is located, is one of the most diverse communities in New York City.
“We want to support communities like Jamaica and make sure that everyone has access to such resources,” White said.
Despite the shift to online instruction, White said she is confident that the NASA Program at York College remains an important outlet for young people who are looking to engage with STEM.
AT&T provided the students with necessary tools, materials and resources to enable the hands-on experience they were promised.
“The purpose of the program is similar to that of York College. We want to do three things: motivate young minds, inspire them and at the same time educate them in terms of STEM,” said Prof. Nazrul Khandaker, the director of the NASA Program at York College.
Among other responsibilities, Khandaker oversees lessons created by student instructors.
Sol De Leon, a program instructor and student at Hunter College, was tasked with creating eight interactive lesson plans, building student participation, as well as modeling a lab component for her classes.
Though students in the program range from grades K-12, Leon incorporates challenging activities and optional exams throughout the program in an effort to introduce the students to college level courses such as Hunter College’s Introduction to Computer Science.
“The most rewarding experience is having students leave the program feeling inspired,” says Leon. “It’s one thing to read about these processes or watch a Youtube video, but actually seeing the application in real life is another.”
