Levelland ISD High School student Michelle Bustillos, junior, was recently accepted into NASA’s High School Aerospace Scholars (HAS) as part of an authentic learning experience.
HAS is an authentic STEM learning experience for Texas high school juniors to engage with NASA’s missions and become the next generation of explorers.
HAS is a year-long commitment for Texas high school juniors which starts in the fall, with a four-month online learning experience related to space exploration, Earth science, technology and aeronautics.
Highest achieving students receive an invitation to a five-day gamified virtual summer experience called Moonshot, which is mentored by NASA scientists and engineers.
During the virtual summer experience, students work in teams to plan an Artemis-themed mission to the Moon and Mars.
Top teams from the virtual summer experience are invited to attend a two-day residential experience at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston.
Johnson Space Center is the home of the astronaut corps where astronauts work and train with experts.
Johnson Space Center has an intern program where students have opportunities to attend lectures, press conferences and possibilities to meet astronauts.
“I am very excited to be a part of NASA’s High School Aerospace Scholars program,” said Bustillos. “Because I know this will get me one-step closer to my dream of becoming an engineer.”
LISD’s Director of Instructional Services Donna Pugh said “We here at LISD are supper excited about one of our very own students was selected for an opportunity of a lifetime! We wish the very best for her and her new adventure with NASA!”
Michelle is the daughter of Elda Bustillos and Efrain Bustillos of Levelland. She plans to graduate LHS in May 2024.