StellarXplorers VI

National Finals April 20-23, 2020

Pandemic-Cancelled

SOUVENIR VERSION

Welcome to

STELLARXPLORERS VI

National Finals

On behalf of the 96,000 members of the Air Force Association, we wish we could welcome

you in-person to the Awards Banquet. Unfortunately, the pandemic makes travel to any

location a risky and irresponsible endeavor, and the safety of our competitors is, in every year,

our highest priority. As you are aware, we were planning to stage the finals at Space Center

Houston and NASA’s Johnson Space Center – we regret being unable to do that but hope to

revisit this venue sometime in the not too distant future.

We realize the Finals cancellation is a great disappointment, but we do not want to diminish

the tremendous achievement you have all made in qualifying for the finals. We began the

competition with 213 registered teams in thirty-five states and two overseas locations. From

November to March, our finalists have excelled in four qualification and selection rounds

conducted entirely at home locations to emerge victorious as the best of the best! While you

will miss the exceptionally challenging scenario we had prepared for the Finals, you have

already demonstrated mastery in all the fundamental principles required in the Finals scenario.

We will continue to grow the program and make a significant national impact in attracting

students like you to the science, technology, engineering and mathematics education and

careers – and in the process, broadening public understanding of the critical role space systems

play in our national security and daily lives.

Perhaps our chief disappointment is not getting to know you personally. Each year we are

heartened about the future of our space program knowing that individuals of your quality will

mature into the space leaders of tomorrow!

Stephen K. Gourley James T. Hannam

StellarXplorers Program Director Vice Chairman of the Board,

Team STLX06-0007

Haughton High School AFJROTC, Haughton, Louisiana

|Mass| - Absolute Mass

Haughton High School is a public high school approximately 15 miles east of Shreveport in Bossier Parish, Louisiana. that enrolls 1,159 students from grades 9–12. The school received an "A" rating by the Louisiana Department of Education. 80% of students received a four-year diploma, compared to 79% in the district and 74% statewide. The school strives to provide courses for students that prepare them for the everchanging demands of college and careers. This year marks the fourth year the school has participated in StellarXplorers, making the semi-finals in STLX III &IV – this is their first finals!

StellarXplorers has been an awesome motivator to prepare our students for life after high

school. It has opened their eyes to degree and career options they never would have

considered otherwise. They enjoy learning college-level STEM material and immersing

themselves in the competitions. They utilize many of the same tools the Air Force uses to

teach planning, launching, and maintaining DoD satellites. The scenarios truly replicate

challenging and exciting real-world situations for our students to learn about the high-stakes

space industry. I’ve enjoyed watching our students’ excitement to learn, grow and reap the

benefits of hard work and commitment.

Team Director Col (Ret) Tony Zucco

(left to right) James Garber, Sophomore, career aspiration: Nuclear Engineer; Koehn Farrell, Senior, career aspiration: Air Force Cyber Officer; Team Captain Norman Pritchard, Jr., Senior, career aspiration: Air

Force Developmental Engineer; Team Co-Captain Jacob Schomburg, Junior, career aspiration: Cinematographer; Dillon Johnston, Senior, career aspiration: Civil Engineer]; Tony Zucco, Team Director.

During my time learning and competing in StellarXplorers, I’ve learned that things are not as

hard as you think they are. For life this means that no matter how hard you think something

is, it is not actually that hard.

Team Co-Captain Jacob Schomburg 2

Team STLX06-0009

Aurora Composite Squadron, CAP, Aurora, Oregon

Africanized Killer Bees

Aurora Composite Squadron (CAP) is home to approximately 30 Civil Air Patrol cadets, ages 12-18, who attend Aurora Squadron's weekly meetings for training and activities that focus on youth leadership. Cadets receive structured training with materials derived directly from the United States Air Force, Military Academies, and Air Guard Schools. Skills are developed in teamwork, public speaking, improved study habits, organization, and task completion. Exercise is encouraged through physical training. In addition, we stress the value of America’s military, and the importance of its airpower and science programs, through our aerospace education classes. The goal in training these youth is to shape them into our nation’s future leaders. This is Aurora’s third trip to the finals and first time to finish in the top three!

2nd

Place

(left to right) Cadet Maj Rhett Miller, Junior, career aspiration: Aerospace Engineer; Cadet 1Lt Colton Swift,

Junior, career aspiration: USAF Combat Controller; Cadet 1Lt Luke Van Sickle, Sophomore, career aspiration: Air Force Pilot; Cadet 2Lt Joshua Vanrenterghem, Sophomore, career aspiration: Bush Pilot

Only a very small number of our cadets were interested in this program. This year, we started out with six on the team and the number soon became four. Three of the four were competition veterans. They thrived in the competition environment. With everything going on in their lives, they still made time to compete as a team. And, they are a true team. They have learned to work together, to take on big challenges in small bites. They recognize that they each come with a different skill set. StellarXplorers gave them the chance to learn and use this.

Team Director Major Carl Knox, CAP

Being on a StellarXplorers team has given me a place to use my love for math and science in a way that I can see the future. Figuring out how to use my strengths in the real world gives me an idea of a path forward after high school. Working with likeminded teammates has made this process fun! I really didn’t know how to answer the question adults would ask: “What are you going to do for a career?” Now with Stellars, I know for sure that building, launching and finding orbits is my dream career!

Cadet Major Rhett Miller, CAP

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Buena Park High School's Mission is to encourage the critical thinking and communication skills of all students at BPHS, to ultimately produce literate, technologically experienced, morally and civilly aware lifelong learners who are prepared to undertake the challenges within continuing education and the job market. We believe all students have the right to experience a rigorous, meaningful, and challenging curriculum.

Team STLX06-0022

Buena Park High School AFJROTC, California

First Order

(back row): Skyler Gomez, Junior, career aspiration: Cyber Security; Kenneth Francisco, Senior, career aspiration: Journalist; Daniel Ventura, Sophomore, career aspiration: Astronomer.

(front row): Kelly Cotledge, Senior, career aspiration: Livestock Veterinarian; Team Captain Thwe Nwe Han, Senior, career aspiration: Psychologist; AngelisaRose Eslava, Senior, career aspiration: Mechanical Engineer.

StellarXplorers provides a much-needed scenario-based approach to inspire today’s youth toward careers in Aerospace Engineering. While many students do not have clear ideas what career path they will eventually follow, StellarXplorers opens new horizons to possibilities in the Aerospace Industry. The concepts are captivating, challenging and require a strong desire in order to excel in every phase of the competition. The opportunity to travel to other parts of the country and compete with other high schools provides a huge incentive to master the fundamentals of orbital mechanics, satellite sub-component selections and launch vehicle analysis. Thanks for another great year.

– Team Director James Miller

The StellarXplorers program opened new doors in our high school careers. During the process of learning new concepts, we improved our logical thinking and problem-solving skills taking them to a new level. Moreover, as individuals we discovered the talents that we never knew we had. When our team overcame the challenges throughout the competitions, we grew in perseverance, patience, and dedication as a team. The StellarXplorers competition gave us the opportunity to learn how to utilize our teamwork skills, gain confidence, and build intelligence while overcoming all the obstacles.

Team Captain, Thwe New Han

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Team STLX06-0023

Buena Park High School AFJROTC, California

Dark Stars

Buena Park High School's Mission is to encourage the critical thinking and communication skills of all students at BPHS, to ultimately produce literate, technologically experienced, morally and civilly aware lifelong learners who are prepared to undertake the challenges within continuing education and the job market. We believe all students have the right to experience a rigorous, meaningful, and challenging curriculum.

(back row): Miguel Jimenez, Sophomore, career aspiration: Astrophysicist; Andrew Palacio, Junior, career aspiration: Nurse; Team Captain Peter Ioannou, Senior, career aspiration: Airline Pilot.

(front row): Angelique Benavides, Junior, career aspiration: Aerospace Engineer; Martin Morales, Sophomore, career aspiration: Astrophysicist.

The StellarXplorers Program inspired all our cadets as they continually stretched themselves with each successive competition tackling new concepts and mastering new skills. The group dynamics that emerged during each round of competition gave them practical experience of what they can expect in their respective careers. We are very grateful to have StellarXplorers as the vehicle to motivate our students using real-world problems in a competitive environment while learning 21st century space concepts. StellarXplorers has been a great catalyst to inspiring our cadets to careers in Aerospace Science, Engineering and Math.

– Team Director James Miller

StellarXplorers has completely soiled the expression “it’s not rocket science;” however, the teamwork and pressure-enabled skills we’ve learned are beyond what we could have ever hoped to achieve. The diversity of the competition’s material has enabled my teammates and I to discover skills within ourselves we would have never expected to uncover. With that, we're forever thankful for all we’ve learned, the friends we’ve made, and hope many others get to experience the everlasting rush of excitement due to the results of their hard work.

Team Captain, Peter Ioannou

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Team STLX06-0064

Palos Verdes Peninsula High School, California

StellarPanther#1

Palos Verdes Peninsula High School is a 4-year comprehensive public high school, nationally recognized for academic excellence. PVPHS is fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and has regularly received six-year accreditations. Peninsula High can attribute much of its success to its fine teaching and administrative staff, parent volunteers as well as its 2500 students. Together, they make up the Panther Family. Peninsula High School is routinely recognized as an exemplary high school at local, state, and national levels. For the class of 2017, 99.84% of the students graduated, 90% completed more than the minimum requirements, and 86% met the A-G requirements thus qualifying for admission to University of California campuses. The school earned a trip to the StellarXplorers Finals from 2016-2018, and in 2016, took both First and Second places at the Finals. After a one-year absence, it’s good to see our old friends back in the Finals.

(left to right): Jeramy Kim, Freshman; career aspiration: Engineering/Computers; Suraj Anand, Senior, career aspiration: Computer Science/Electrical Engineer; Team Captain Aksh Garg, Sophomore, career aspiration: Computer Science;

Team Co-Captain Akash Anand, Freshman, career aspiration: Medical; Jiaju Liu, Senior, career aspiration: Biomed Engineer with Business background

Not available for photo: Arpit Jalan, Senior, career aspiration: Computers & Law

StellarXplorers program has broadened our students’ vision on aerospace engineering with real-life situations the team performed exceptionally well throughout the three competitions. StellarXplorers program has allowed us to learn so much more about space, satellites, orbits, and Space engineering. We are very fortunate to be part of a profound program that has long life impact on our life.

– Team Director Hassan Twiet

StellarXplorers was truly a transformative experience for us. For most of us this was our second year in Stellar yet the amount of knowledge we gained from this year itself was shocking. Working through a multitude of scenarios ranging from simple orbit planning, to something involving multiple rockets and parts to choose between, to both orbit design and satellite design together has taught us so much. Seeing the concepts slowly click into place, building one top of another to form a cohesive and encouraging whole, was an amazing experience. We’ve grown a lot this year and I’m super proud of where we have gotten to. Can’t wait to go to the national and win the first place. Team Captain Aksh Garg

SPONSOR BENEFITS SUMMARY

StellarXplorers, the National High School Space Challenge, is inspiring students to pursue careers in STEM through a challenging space-focused competition. The program offers a hands-on series of events that require teams to engage their critical thinking, problem solving, teamwork, and leadership skills. StellarXplorers includes an academic/education component as a curriculum supplement, and the competition employs computer simulations for system design and performance assessment within space, power, weight, and budgetary constraints. Teams compete in a series of three rounds to qualify for the semi-final round, with the top ten teams invited to the National Finals.

StellarXplorers appeals to a broad cross-section of our population and reaches a

talented, engaged demographic that is not well accessed in many other STEM

programs. Nearly half of our teams come from Title I schools or organizations

supporting those schools. Of the nearly 3000 competitors from the first five seasons

after the proof of concept, one third are female, and considered together, all

participants comprise a more diverse group than the U.S. population as a whole. You

will need a diverse, talented workforce in the increasingly competitive environment of

the expanding space industry – StellarXplorers is the perfect vehicle to build that

workforce.

Sponsorships are available at varying levels to fit organizational goals, but every

sponsorship, at any level, demonstrates the sponsor’s vision to support our nation’s

compelling economic and national security needs. See our website:

www.stellarxplorers.org for sponsorship levels and specific benefits.

Presenting Sponsorship. The Presenting Sponsorship is the highest level of sponsorship for the StellarXplorers Program. This sponsorship distinguishes the Sponsor to Industry, Government, and Community leadership as the corporate citizen with the vision to develop the increasing number of space professionals our nation will need to compete in the burgeoning space marketplace. In addition to enjoying all the benefits of an Interstellar Sponsor, the Presenting Sponsor will be featured most prominently in all promotional material and in-person events, uniquely recognized as the principal sponsor. Additionally, the Presenting Sponsor will have a prominent voice in shaping the direction of the program and be provided more direct access to the talented students that will be its future workforce. The Presenting Sponsor is expected to make a multiyear commitment with renewal contingent on the program meeting mutually agreed performance targets.

For more information, contact Stephen Gourley, StellarXplorers Program Director, at:

stephen.k.gourley@gmail.com or 720-253-3474.

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ABOUT THE AIR FORCE ASSOCIATION 1501 Lee Highway Arlington VA 22209-1198

Tel: (703) 247-5800 Fax: (703) 247-5853

The Air Force Association, founded in 1946, exists to promote Air Force airpower.

Our mission is to promote a dominant United States Air Force and Space Force, a strong national defense, to honor and support Airmen and the Air Force Family, and to remember and respect our Air Force Heritage. To accomplish this, we:

EDUCATE the public on the critical need for unmatched aerospace power and a technically superior workforce to ensure US national security.

ADVOCATE for aerospace power and STEM education.

SUPPORT the Total Air Force Family and promote aerospace education.

AFA is a 501(c)(3) independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit educational organization, to which all donations are tax deductible. With your help we will be able to expand our programs and their impact. We need your support and ongoing financial commitment to realize our goals.

AFA executes its mission through Air Force Magazine, the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies, CyberPatriot (the National Youth Cyber Education Program), StellarXplorers (the National High School Space Challenge), National Conferences and Symposia, and other forms of public outreach.

Learn more about AFA by visiting us on the Web at: www.afa.org.

STELLARXPLORERS

Thanks Our

Indispensable Sponsors!

INTERSTELLAR

www.wpafb.af.mil/AFRL

STELLAR PLATINUM

www.L3Harris.com

STELLAR GOLD

www.aerojetrocketdyne.com/foundation

STELLAR SILVER

www.spacex.com

www.rocketlabusa.com

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Dinner Speakers Send Their Regards …

INTERSTELLAR SPONSOR

Daniel J. Andrews II Department of the United States Air Force Air Force K-12 STEM Office StellarXplorers Finalists, The Department of the United States Air Force would like to extend our Congratulations on working and earning your way to the StellarXplorers VI Finals. Becoming a finalist is an outstanding achievement that reflects your hard work and dedication. This accomplishment serves as an example of excellence and is a great source of pride for your community. The StellarXplorers Program has a proud tradition of producing the next generation of leaders for our Space Force, Space Communities and nation. Through your commitment, perseverance, and motivation, you have met the challenge and excelled! Again, congratulations and good luck!

PLATINUM SPONSOR

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Our Educational Alliance Partners

Analytical Graphics, Inc. (AGI)

Provides commercial software for designing, developing and operating missions within the space and national defense communities. AGI’s Systems Tool Kit (STK) is a 2D and 3D modeling environment used by engineers, mission analysts, operators and decision-makers to model complex systems (such as aircraft, satellites, ground vehicles and their sensors). www.agi.com

Coyote Enterprises, Inc. (CEI)

A dedicated group of 300+ authors and editors creating books and interactive materials focused on providing space professionals, students and professors with the most up-to-date, integrated set of space technology references possible. www.spacetechnologyseries.com

Space Foundation

A global, nonprofit leader in space awareness activities, educational programs that bring space into the classroom and major industry events. The foundation’s mission is to advance space-related endeavors to inspire, enable and propel humanity.

www.spacefoundation.org 10 4

StellarXplorers (STLX) began in August 2014 with an email to AFA from Secretary of the Air Force’s Acquisition Office asking if AFA would be interested in developing a program with a space theme similar to our CyberPatriot National Youth Cyber Education Program. AFA accepted that challenge and began with a development of a program to involve participants in as much of the space system design and operations process that could be delivered to a large number of students within reasonably attainable resource levels. The first step was a Proof of Concept demonstration in April 2015 with five Colorado High School teams competing. From the very beginning, we saw the challenge was attractive to a diverse population of students and organizations. For STLX VI, nearly one-third of the competitors were from Title I schools or supporting organizations and nearly one-third were female (unusually high for a STEM program). Overall, the entire student population was ethnically more diverse than the U.S. StellarXplorers has experienced excellent growth in competitors and increased complexity as follows:

Academic Year Teams Rounds Champion STLX I 2015 5 1 Rangeview High School, CO STLX II 2015-2016 26 3 Sirius Potatoes, Palos Verdes Peninsula HS, CA STLX III 2016-2017 131 4 Sky Dragons, San Pedro High School, CA STLX IV 2017-2018 180 5 Tahsin Machine, Great Mills High School, MD STLX V 2018-2019 216 5 Jets, James Clemens High School, Madison, AL STLX VI 2019-2020 214 4 Rocket Men, Bergen County Tech., Teterboro, NJ

STELLARXPLORERS VI COMPETITION SUMMARY StellarXplorers VI closed registration on October 9, 2019, and throughout the competition period, students were challenged to tackle realistic aspects of space operations, such as orbit design, satellite design, and launch vehicle selection. For orbit and satellite design, competitors used Analytical Graphics, Inc. (AGI) software, called Systems Toolkit (STK). Additionally, they were provided an online space textbook, called Understanding Space (the same text used at the Air Force Academy). The actual competition consisted of three online Qualification Rounds held 31 October-3 November; 12-15 December; and 6-9 February; Sixty-four teams qualified for the Semi-Final Round on 27 February-1 March 2020. The Finals were planned for a new venue in Texas at Space Center Houston and Johnson Space Center for 20-24 April 2020. The top ten cumulative scores during the preliminary rounds determined the Finalists, and all were excited about the prospects of a finals site at the home of U.S. human spaceflight. But a pandemic happened on the way to the finals …

We initially planned to transition to a ‘virtual’ finals, with teams competing together in a safe location. As we were making those plans, the pandemic worsened and restrictions to assemblies proliferated. In the end, we concluded that both the fairest and safest way ahead was to award prizes based on the scores from the qualification and semi-final rounds. For those individuals not on the top three teams we decided to award an educational grant of $500 each to reward their season-long efforts and compensate for the undeliverable promise of an all-expense-paid trip to Houston.

The ten teams in our National Finals are winners of a rigorous competition and have gained a new appreciation for the complexity of space and taken a step toward future leadership in America’s critical space enterprise!

STELLARXPLORERS HISTORY StellarXplorers (STLX) began in August 2014 with an email to AFA from Secretary of the Air Force’s Acquisition Office asking if AFA would be interested in developing a program with a space theme similar to our CyberPatriot National Youth Cyber Education Program. AFA accepted that challenge and began with a development of a program to involve participants in as much of the space system design and operations process that could be delivered to a large number of students within reasonably attainable resource levels. The first step was a Proof of Concept demonstration in April 2015 with five Colorado High School teams competing. From the very beginning, we saw the challenge was attractive to a diverse population of students and organizations. For STLX VI, nearly one-third of the competitors were from Title I schools or supporting organizations and nearly one-third were female (unusually high for a STEM program). Overall, the entire student population was ethnically more diverse than the U.S. StellarXplorers has experienced excellent growth in competitors and increased complexity as follows:

Academic Year Teams Rounds Champion STLX I 2015 5 1 Rangeview High School, CO STLX II 2015-2016 26 3 Sirius Potatoes, Palos Verdes Peninsula HS, CA STLX III 2016-2017 131 4 Sky Dragons, San Pedro High School, CA STLX IV 2017-2018 180 5 Tahsin Machine, Great Mills High School, MD STLX V 2018-2019 216 5 Jets, James Clemens High School, Madison, AL STLX VI 2019-2020 214 4 Rocket Men, Bergen County Tech., Teterboro, NJ

STELLARXPLORERS VI COMPETITION SUMMARY StellarXplorers VI closed registration on October 9, 2019, and throughout the competition period, students were challenged to tackle realistic aspects of space operations, such as orbit design, satellite design, and launch vehicle selection. For orbit and satellite design, competitors used Analytical Graphics, Inc. (AGI) software, called Systems Toolkit (STK). Additionally, they were provided an online space textbook, called Understanding Space (the same text used at the Air Force Academy). The actual competition consisted of three online Qualification Rounds held 31 October-3 November; 12-15 December; and 6-9 February; Sixty-four teams qualified for the Semi-Final Round on 27 February-1 March 2020. The Finals were planned for a new venue in Texas at Space Center Houston and Johnson Space Center for 20-24 April 2020. The top ten cumulative scores during the preliminary rounds determined the Finalists, and all were excited about the prospects of a finals site at the home of U.S. human spaceflight. But a pandemic happened on the way to the finals …

We initially planned to transition to a ‘virtual’ finals, with teams competing together in a safe location. As we were making those plans, the pandemic worsened and restrictions to assemblies proliferated. In the end, we concluded that both the fairest and safest way ahead was to award prizes based on the scores from the qualification and semi-final rounds. For those individuals not on the top three teams we decided to award an educational grant of $500 each to reward their season-long efforts and compensate for the undeliverable promise of an all-expense-paid trip to Houston.

The ten teams in our National Finals are winners of a rigorous competition and have gained a new appreciation for the complexity of space and taken a step toward future leadership in America’s critical space enterprise!

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Team STLX06-0094

Bergen County Technical Schools, New Jersey

Rocket Men

A model of excellence and reform in the 21st Century, the Bergen County Technical High School – Teterboro, is located within 10 miles of New York City. Prospective students from seventy towns in Bergen County are selected through a rigorous admissions process that evaluates middle school grades, standardized test scores, teacher recommendations and assessments in writing and math. The school’s enrollment is 671 students and mirrors the diversity of Bergen County with the total minority enrollment at 58%: 42% Caucasian, 31% Asian, 19% Hispanic, 4% African American, and the remaining Pacific Islander, American Indian or other. U.S. News & World Report ranked Bergen County Technical High School – Teterboro #3 among New Jersey high schools, #58 among national high schools and #21 among STEM high schools. BCTS competed for their first time last year with a team making the finals and taking third place. This year BCTS registered four teams, two achieved the finals including this year’s Champion Rocket Men Team!

First Place!

(left to right): Team Captain Yoshiki Kakehi, Senior, career aspiration: Software Engineer;

Pranav Tripuraneni, Senior, career aspiration: Aerospace Engineer; Carlo Dundovic, Senior, career aspiration: Computer Scientist;

Francis Gargiulo, Senior, career aspiration: Environmental Engineer

Space is inherently exciting. Many students often miss the interesting engineering opportunities space provides due to a lack of exposure. This is why participating in StellarXplorers has been a great experience for our students. It has provided a structure for learning along with the motivation to solve challenging problems in a competitive environment.

– Team Director Nick Elefther

Shoot for the moon; even if you miss, you will land among the stars

Team Rocket Men

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Team STLX06-0095

Bergen County Technical Schools, New Jersey

RISEN

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A model of excellence and reform in the 21st Century, the Bergen County Technical High School – Teterboro, is located within 10 miles of New York City. Prospective students from seventy towns in Bergen County are selected through a rigorous admissions process that evaluates middle school grades, standardized test scores, teacher recommendations and assessments in writing and math. The school’s enrollment is 671 students and mirrors the diversity of Bergen County with the total minority enrollment at 58%: 42% Caucasian, 31% Asian, 19% Hispanic, 4% African American, and the remaining Pacific Islander, American Indian or other. U.S. News & World Report ranked Bergen County Technical High School – Teterboro #3 among New Jersey high schools, #58 among national high schools and #21 among STEM high schools. BCTS competed for their first time last year with a team making the finals and taking third place. This year BCTS registered four teams; two achieved the finals including this year’s Champion.

(left to right): Neven Scherrer, Senior; career aspiration: work for Aerospace Firm; Team Captain Rohit Agarwal, Senior, career aspiration: go to Space;

Samuel Suh, Senior, career aspiration: Medical Doctor; Isaac Yi, Senior, career aspiration: Biomed Engineer;

Ethan Cabral, Senior, career aspiration: Biomed Engineer with Business background

Space is inherently exciting. Many students often miss the interesting engineering opportunities space provides due to a lack of exposure. This is why participating in StellarXplorers has been a great experience for our students. It has provided a structure for learning along with the motivation to solve challenging problems in a competitive environment.

– Team Director Nick Elefther

Carpite diem noctemque

Team RISEN

Team STLX06-0097 School of Engineering & Biomedical Sciences (SEBS)

at Pueblo County High School Pueblo, Colorado

Fighting Hornets

SEBS is an academy geared toward those students who are interested in the fields of STEM. We offer students an array of opportunities from career readiness and hands-on experiences to college preparatory-level classes, labs and creative exercises. SEBS is based upon innovation, application, college preparation, and re warding careers for its students in the society of tomorrow. Students may elect to follow one of four strands of learning: engineering, biomedical science, computer science, and creative technologies. SEBS’ Third Place finish is a significant accomplishment!

3rd

Place

(left to right) Team Director John Musso; Jacob Waggoner, Junior, career aspiration: Elec/Aero Engineer;

Team Captain Luke Hawkins, Senior, career aspiration: Elec. Engineer; Tyler Jones, Junior, career aspiration: Mech./Aero. Engineer; Team Mentor, Christina “Tina” Cox; Li Hong Sweet-Seip, Sophomore, career

aspiration: Aero. Engineer; Shawn Cunningham, Sophomore, career aspiration: Auto Engineer

The StellarXplorers program has reached our students as no other program has. Intellectually

challenging, team building, exposure to new worlds of engineering, and fulfilling are only a few of

the benefits of the program. This program has opened many doors for our students; one of the

most important is the working relationships we’ve developed with our mentor Tina Cox and

tremendous individuals of our sponsoring Air Force Association Chapter -The Mel Harmon Chapter

128. Our students have gained so much through these partnerships and interactions that words

cannot express the benefits.

Team Director John Musso

My involvement in StellarXplorers the past four years has opened my eyes to the aerospace

industry. As a result, I will be pursuing electrical engineering with a special interest in aerospace

engineering. I have learned how to analyze problems, budget time, and work efficiently within a

team to produce a solution. StellarXplorers opened up numerous opportunities that have

benefited my education, my career path, and my life. Thank you.

Team Captain Luke Hawkins

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Team STLX06-0183

Rangeview High School, Aurora, Colorado

Rangeview CosmoRaiders

Located in Aurora, an eastern suburb of Denver, Rangeview is a comprehensive public high school with an enrollment of approximately 2,200 students. Rangeview offers a wide selection of courses to support student pathways into the post-secondary world. These courses range in scope from regular to honors classes, Advanced Placement to Concurrent Enrollment, and specific STEM classes from computer science to engineering. Rangeview also offers training in nearly 50 different occupation programs for high school and adult students. An Associates of Applied Sciences degree may be earned in cooperation with the Community College of Aurora in ten programming areas. Approximately 45% of graduates attend four-year collegiate institutions; 31% attend two-year options, career/technical programs, or an apprenticeship program; and 5% choose military service. Rangeview was the winner of the StellarXplorers I and is the only school to participate in every StellarXplorers competition. They have made the finals each year except last year!

(left to right) Team Director, l. Tom Brown; Eliott Trotman, Sophomore, career aspiration: Cybersecurity; Alexis Finnimore, Freshman, career aspiration: Undecided; Team Captain Charles Hulongbayan, Senior,

career aspiration: Mechanical Engineer; Michael Do, Sophomore, career aspiration: Pharmacist; Jaxson Ternlund, Senior, career aspiration: Aerospace Engineer

The six years we’ve participated in Stellar Xplorers has been very positive and, I believe, students have their world view altered for the better after this experience. I’ve seen students’ horizons boadened and their eyes opened to the possibilities for their future. This experience has given students confidence to dream big and believe they, too, can be part of mankind’s endeavor to explore space.

Team Director L. Tom Brown

The competitions have taught us that teamwork and using all team members’ talents is as

important as the technical applications.

Team Captain Charles Hulongbayan

Charles Hulongbayan

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Team STLX06-0185

West Aurora High School AFJROTC, Aurora, Illinois

WA5

West Aurora High School located west of Chicago, Illinois, is a four-year comprehensive high

school. The mission of the school is to ensure that each individual will develop skills for life-long

learning, develop a sense of global consciousness, and gain a sense of self-worth. West Aurora

High School enjoys a long-standing history of academic excellence, continuing to serve the needs

of a diverse community. Through a process of ongoing school renewal, West Aurora High School

has revitalized its school day to provide more academic assistance during the day and more

opportunity for vocational exploration. West Aurora’s first year in StellarXplorers was last year,

and they made the Finals as first-time participants – their return proves last year was no fluke!

(left to right, back row) Andres Gomez, Junior, career aspiration Aero/Mech Engineer;

Adam Annerino, Junior, career aspiration: US Army Cyber Defender;

Team Captain Jorge Medellin, Senior, career aspiration: Army Officer/Mech Engineer;

(foreground) Nancy Vazquez, Junior, career aspiration: Accountant;

Madeline Simmons, Junior, career aspiration: Biomedical Engineer.

Creative people must be able to see complex things from a different perspective. A competition like StellarXplorers completely this truism to an entirely different level. As an instructor, it is rewarding to see students wrestle with the complexity and unique factors that dominate the space environment, thereby expanding their perspective on all facets of their life.

Team Director Erik Pettyjohn

It has been incredible to have the opportunity to tackle real world problems using satellites and rockets. This experience has shown me how limitless the application of space truly is!

Team Captain Jorge Medellin

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STELLARXPLORERS VI

Platinum Sponsor

StellarXplorers VI was fun …

Even with a Pandemic Thrown in …

We’ll be back bigger & better for VII, (this time without the Pandemic, we hope!).

The Sky is No Longer the Limit!

Registration Opens May 1, 2020

www.StellarXplorers.org