ECCC Students Participate In NASA Program

DECATUR, Miss. (PRESS RELEASE) – Six members of Alpha Alpha Epsilon engineering club at East Central Community College were recently selected to participate in NASA’s Community College Aerospace Scholars program.

Those selected for the prestigious program at Stennis Space Center April 11-14, 2016, included Kellen Clark of Chunky, John Creekmore of Noxapater, Megan Parrish of Pascagoula and Aaron Scoggin of Lawrence. Lane Wooten of Carthage was selected to attend the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif., also held April 11-14.

Samuel Mitchell of Decatur will participate at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, May 22-25, 2016.

According to ECCC mathematics instructor and AAE sponsor Michael Miles, “This program gives students an authentic NASA experience that will encourage them to finish a two-year degree or transfer to a four-year university to pursue a NASA-related career.”

To be considered for the program, students had to complete a multi-phase application process.

The first phase included an application, letters of recommendation, submission of transcripts and a written essay.

Upon acceptance, students then participated in interactive web-based activities including online coursework and webinars.

Those successfully completing the second phase were then allowed to apply for the onsite experience and had to undergo a competitive selection process which was based in part on the online coursework and project papers submitted.

The ECCC students selected worked on a team project mentored by NASA engineers, attended briefings by engineers and scientist, toured NASA facilities, completed a rover competition and much more.