On Saturday September 15, at 3:15 PM, the winning teams of the “MY TRIP TO NASA” contest, organized by the International Commission of  Science and Technology Advisors to the President (CIACT), will travel to NASA.

A total of 6 students and 2 professors will take part in a once-in-a-lifetime experience as part of the 6-day program at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) space camp located in Huntsville, Alabama. The program will give the students an opportunity to prepare for an outer space voyage in the same way as the astronauts. They will use the same mechanisms such as space craft simulators, astronauts’ space suits, zero gravity chambers, flight simulators among other things. These talented youngsters will enjoy the motivating experience of learning how these space missions are carried out. In the end, they will be evaluated and receive a certificate for their participation.

According to Maria Victoria Perdomo, Public Relations Director for the Institution,  “MY TRIP TO NASA 2007 is a unique event because, in addition to the participation of high school students from all over the country, Dominican students in the Diaspora (New York) were also included. Our proposal was widely received by students and professors, who pulled together the necessary motivation and support from schools and colleges to make this event a success. During the first phase of the competition, we had 65 teams of adolescents presenting various science and technology projects created by themselves with the optional assistance and guidance of a professor. This elevated our level of commitment to hold this event once again in 2008.”  

Dr. Jose Santana, Executive Director of CIACT, added that “the future economic growth of the Dominican Republic will be determined by the ability and creativity with which our nation manages its intellectual resources, with a view to expanding existing industries and developing new ones.  Our organization will continue with its mission of making viable initiatives that elevate the spirit of scientific research and implement methodologies of technological study with the possibility of applying them to our country.” 

The winning teams presented various projects in their categories. The Loyola Polytechnic Institute of San Cristobal team presented a study detailing the uses of Vitamin C. The team from Colegio Quisqueya D.N., a private school, did a project involving Bio-diesel. Diaspora students from The Mott Hall School won as a result of their exhaustive investigative project on the evolutionary changes of the Olividae Family Mollusk, a member of the Neogene family which is abundant along the coasts of the Dominican Republic.  

More information about this and other CIACT programs can be obtained from their website at: www.ciact.gov.do

The names of the winners are: 
For the Colegio Quisqueya:

• Omaira Rivas
  
• Rossel Taveras
  
• Angelica Medina
  
• Professor Milagros Duval

For the Loyola Politechnic Institute

• Luis Alberto Pena
  
• Dalton Angomas
  
• Marnie Aguasvivas
  
• Professor Danilo Fernandez

Mi Viaje a la NASA
Mi Viaje a la NASA
Mi Viaje a la NASA
Ganadores del viaje a la NASA