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Photo Courtesy Of Patrick Gagnon

COC Student Selected To Visit NASA Stennis Space Center

A COC student has been selected to travel to NASA’s Stennis Space Center in Mississippi this fall to participate in the NASA Community College Aerospace Scholars (NCAS) onsite experience.


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Patrick Gagnon, an aerospace engineering major at College of the Canyons, has been selected as one of 319 community college students from across the United States to be part of the NCAS program.

“I’m over the moon,” said Gagnon. “It feels great to be selected as one of the few for such an amazing opportunity. I’m thankful for the chance to show what I’m capable of and looking forward to working with all the other talented and bright students, engineers and scientists. It’s a dream come true.”

Gagnon, who has had a lifelong curiosity in learning about engine propulsion and how things can fly, hopes to one day work for The Skunk Works at Lockheed Martin designing stealth aircraft, or at NASA or SpaceX helping pioneer deep space travel.

“I like to call myself a rocket scientist in training,” said Gagnon. “Eventually, I’m hoping to start my own company dedicated to expanding the public space sector using rockets of my own design.”

Part of Gagnon’s visit to the NASA center begins with his enrollment in five-week online activities that introduce him to the various aspects of space travel, which then culminate into a four-day on-site event at the Stennis Space Center.

Related: College Of The Canyons Students Are Working Alongside NASA To Launch Projects Into Space

Students are expected to be able to form teams and establish fictional companies interested in Mars exploration.

Each team is responsible for developing and testing a prototype rover, forming a company infrastructure, managing a budget and developing communications and outreach, according to program officials.

“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, manager for the Minority University Research and Education Project.

The trip to NASA’s center also includes briefings by NASA subject matter experts, information on how to apply for internships and a tour of NASA’s unique facilities, according to program officials.

“NCAS has a legacy of alumni moving from NASA internships to, and ultimately entering, the NASA workforce,” said Patrick. “It is rewarding to see the progression of a student from NCAS participant to NASA colleague.”

NASA Community College Aerospace Scholars is an activity funded in part by the Minority University Research and Education Program, which is committed to engaging underrepresented and underserved students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics in authentic learning experiences to sustain a diverse workforce, according to officials.  

“Hopefully this will only be the beginning for my experiences at NASA, and I’m looking forward to see what doors NCAS opens and where I go next on my journey,” said Gagnon.

For more information about the NASA Community College Aerospace Scholars, visit the website here.

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COC Student Selected To Visit NASA Stennis Space Center

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About Lorena Mejia

Lorena was born and raised in the San Fernando Valley. She attended California State University Northridge where she double majored in Journalism and Chicano Studies and minored in Spanish Language Journalism. While at CSUN, she worked for the university's television and radio newscast. Through her journalistic work, she earned membership to Kappa Tau Alpha, a national honor society for selected journalists. Her passion for the community has introduced her to new people, ideas, and issues that have helped shape the person she is today. Lorena’s skills include using cameras as a tool to empower people by informing them and creating change in their communities. Some of her hobbies include reading the news, exploring the outdoors, and being an avid animal lover. To contact Lorena, send your messages to lorena@hometownstation.com.