A group of University of Florida (UF) international students recently participated in the Space Trek Academy and experienced an immersive, week-long residential program designed to inspire and educate high school girls in the fields of aerospace and engineering. Hosted at the Kennedy Space Center, the academy offered hands-on activities, interactive workshops, and mentorship opportunities led by industry experts and university professors. Participants engaged in projects involving rocketry, robotics, and space science, enhancing their problem-solving skills and fostering a deeper understanding of STEM concepts.
Throughout the program, students collaborated in teams to design, build, and launch small-scale rockets, applying engineering principles in a real-world context. They also toured NASA facilities, attended lectures from astronauts and aerospace professionals, and explored career pathways in space-related fields. By the end of the academy, participants left with increased confidence, practical experience, and a network of like-minded peers, all while gaining inspiration to pursue STEM education and careers.in a field mission, making up one-third of the total crew with five Gators among the 14 participants.
The UF delegation included students from diverse academic backgrounds and nationalities, highlighting the university’s global presence in research and fieldwork.
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Metolo Foyet (Geography) – Cameroon
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Nidhi Kalia (Chemistry) – India
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Rafael Rocha (Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering) – Brazil
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Rohit Srinavasan (Industrial & Systems Engineering) – India
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Ruijie Shi (Astronomy) – China
To commemorate the mission, Metolo Foyet custom-designed mission patches incorporating
UF colors and featuring a special design specifically representing the Gators’ presence in the field.
This mission exemplifies UF’s commitment to international collaboration, fostering connections among students from diverse backgrounds while reinforcing the university’s global impact.
