Odessa High School juniors Branner Marroquim, Daniel Carlos, Richie Valderaz, and Savion Juarez are taking a giant leap towards their future STEM careers by participating in NASA's prestigious Texas High School Aerospace Scholars program. This opportunity, organized by instructional facilitator Sonny Alaniz, promises to propel these young minds into the exciting world of space exploration and aerospace engineering.

Launching the Next Generation of Space Explorers

Reaching for the Stars: Odessa High School's STEM Trailblazers

These four ambitious students have set their sights on the stars, eager to explore the vast frontiers of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Branner Marroquim, Daniel Carlos, Richie Valderaz, and Savion Juarez have been selected to participate in NASA's Texas High School Aerospace Scholars program, a prestigious initiative that offers a unique opportunity to engage with the agency's missions and become the next generation of space explorers.The program, which spans an entire academic year, begins with a five-month online learning experience focused on space exploration, Earth science, technology, and aeronautics. The highest-achieving students will then be invited to a five-day virtual summer experience, known as "Moonshot," where they will be mentored by NASA scientists and engineers. The top-performing teams from Moonshot will be further rewarded with an all-expense-paid residential experience at NASA's Johnson Space Center.

Inspiring the Next Generation: Sonny Alaniz's Dedication to STEM Education

Instrumental in this journey is Sonny Alaniz, the instructional facilitator at Odessa High School. Alaniz, who is currently pursuing a degree in nuclear engineering at Odessa College, is passionate about nurturing the STEM aspirations of his students. He teaches engineering and robotics, and his unwavering commitment to providing hands-on STEM experiences has been a driving force behind the students' participation in the NASA program.Alaniz's excitement was palpable when he learned that his students had been accepted into the program. "I was kind of worried, too, because I didn't know how many students were going to get accepted into it," he shared. "But once I got to see how much work they're going to do, my excitement level skyrocketed to a 10."

Embracing the Challenge: Odessa High School Students' Perspectives

The students themselves are both thrilled and daunted by the opportunity. Daniel Carlos expressed his gratitude, acknowledging that it's a "big deal" to be part of a NASA internship. Richie Valderaz echoed this sentiment, saying, "It's intimidating, but at the same time, it's a chance to get into a growing field."Savion Juarez sees the program as a unique experience that sets him apart from his peers. "It will put me ahead of the curve when it comes to applying to colleges and actually finding a good job," he said. Valderaz, who has long joked about becoming a "rocket scientist," now sees the possibility of turning that dream into a reality.

Preparing for Liftoff: The NASA Aerospace Scholars Program Curriculum

The NASA program is structured in three distinct phases, each designed to challenge and nurture the students' STEM skills. The first phase is the five-month online class, where the students focus on individual training and skill development. Alaniz will be actively involved in this process, guiding and supporting his students.The second phase is a one-week virtual tour and experience, where the students will compete with each other to create projects that could potentially be used for the Artemis program, NASA's Moon exploration initiative. If their team is successful, they will be invited to the third phase: an in-person tour with the NASA scientists and engineers who mentored them during the program.Alaniz is working to integrate the NASA internship into the school's curriculum, creating a dedicated class that will allow future students to participate in the program. This innovative approach will ensure that the opportunity is not limited to a select few, but rather becomes a valuable part of the educational experience at Odessa High School.

Exceeding Expectations: The Exceptional Caliber of Odessa High School's STEM Scholars

The students selected for the NASA program are not just academically gifted, but also driven and passionate about their STEM pursuits. Alaniz emphasizes that while a minimum 3.0 GPA is required, these students are "really exceptional" and go "above and beyond" in their academic and extracurricular activities.Sandra Lopez, the mother of Richie Valderaz and a teacher at Odessa High School, praised Alaniz's dedication to his students. "He's doing very well in school, and he wants to do better," she said of her son. "But just having a teacher show that kind of interest in students is a really big deal. Not all the teachers are like that, and I really appreciate him. He's gone above and beyond."As these Odessa High School students embark on their journey with NASA's Texas High School Aerospace Scholars program, they are poised to become the trailblazers of the future, inspiring generations to come and pushing the boundaries of what's possible in the realm of space exploration and STEM innovation.