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A letter from the Kansas Space Grant Consortium student at the NASA Ames Academy, Summer 2004.
September 24, 2004
Dear Kansas Space Grant Consortium,
Thank you so much for the endorsement and support you gave me to attend this summer’s NASA Ames Academy. Before I was approached about applying for the Academy, I did not know it existed. The fact that you approach students to educate them about this opportunity is a testament to KSGC’s commitment to students. Because of your excellent recruiting skills, Kansas appears to have a reputation for sending students to the Academies, and I believe this is something to be very proud of!
The Academy was a life altering experience, and is something I would recommend to any student who has an interest in NASA or space exploration in general. The wealth of knowledge that is shared within that short ten-week period is amazing. We had the opportunity to listen to several presentations given by world-renowned scientists, travel to other NASA centers, tour countless facilities, and conduct meaningful research here at Ames under the direction of excellent scientists. I left the academy with a love for topics I had not considered before such as planetary geology and astronomy, and I developed a greater appreciation for neuroscience (my main field of interest). After visiting Johnson Space Center, I became more certain that astronauts have one of the most exciting jobs in the world. Thus, I hope to apply to become an astronaut in the future! Whatever happens, I will always be a space activist at heart.
But when I think of the Academy, the relationships seem the most salient to me. Before we arrived at Ames, the directors Dr. Doug O’Handley and Dr. Yvonne Pendleton made it clear that we were entering a large family. Both directors graciously welcomed us (and our significant others) into their homes, and became surrogate parents for the summer. Amazingly, we saw that this close relationship does not end after the summer, as we met several Academy alumni who still make it a point to visit. For me, the transition from Kansas to California has been eased thanks to Doug, Yvonne, and some alumni who live in the area.
The Academites became each other’s family as well. Forming close relationships is inevitable with individuals with whom you work, eat, sleep, and laugh. The twelve students I spent the summer with were some of the most interesting and well rounded I’ve met, and I know we’ve all made lifelong friends in each other. These are passionate people who possess a rare, childlike enthusiasm for space and for life that I imagine characterized the young scientists of the Apollo era. I look forward to seeing more of all of us in the future.
If there is anything I can do for KSGC in the future, please don’t hesitate to let me know. Thanks again so much for this opportunity!
Jennifer Sweeton
NASA Ames Academy Alumna 2004
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