A student of Olympic College in Bremerton has been chosen to head down to NASA’s Ames Research Center this summer to take part in the NASA Community College Aerospace Scholars on-site experience.

Gregory Legister is one of 403 community college students from across the country who were selected to attend the event. Chosen students will get the chance to interact with NASA engineers and others through a five-week online activity, followed by a four-day, on-site event at a NASA center to learn about careers in science and engineering.

Students will form teams and create fictional companies that are interested in Mars exploration. The details of the project include developing and testing a prototype rover, creating a company infrastructure, managing a budget, and developing communications and outreach. The onsite experience at NASA will also provide briefings by subject matter experts, information on internships, and a tour of some NASA facilities.

NCAS is funded in part by the Minority University Research and Education Program that is “committed to engaging underrepresented and underserved students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) in authentic learning experiences to sustain a diverse workforce.”

“NCAS not only inspires community college students to advance in STEM fields, but it also opens doors for future careers at NASA,” said Joeletta Patrick, the Minority University Research and Education Program Manager. “NCAS has a legacy of alumni moving from NASA internships to and ultimately entering the NASA workforce. It is rewarding to see the progression of a student from NCAS participant to NASA colleague.”