NHS Grad Reflects On His

Rover’s View Of NASA

Before attending NASA’s National Community College Aerospace Scholars program, Newtown High School 2009 graduate Josh Milas was excited for the opportunity to explore NASA. Now, just three weeks after returning from the program, Josh is still excited.

“The trip was great — just everything about it,” said Josh.

Josh was one of 90 students from community colleges in 23 states who were selected to “Travel to NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston or the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala., for hands-on experience with technology development and direct interaction with NASA experts,” according to NASA.

Josh is in his second year at Naugatuck Valley Community College, Waterbury, and he learned about the program from one of his professors. When he first read about the program, Joshua said he thought it seemed interesting, and he figured he “might as well give it a shot.” While Josh is a general studies major at the college, he said he is thinking about studying mechanical engineering.

Since returning from the trip, Josh said he has noticed a significant change in his excitement for class at college.

During the three-day program, according to NASA, participants formed teams to establish Mars exploration companies. Each team developed a prototype rover, designed a line drawing of its vehicle, and formed a company infrastructure, including a budget and communications plan. The students also toured facilities and attended presentations by astronauts and other NASA technology experts.

One speaker told the group to “follow through with what you do,” Josh said. “The one thing I can do is pass the message on.”