Tarmac Online

By Lucas X. Kierez ’26

Throughout history, countless brilliant minds have pushed the boundaries of science and engineering, yet many young innovators still go unnoticed until someone gives them a chance to shine. At Chaminade, opportunities like the Science Research and Engineering Club and school announcements help reveal these gifts to the wider community. Competitions such as the NASA Human Exploration Rover Challenge and the NASA TechRise Student Challenge give students an opportunity to take their enthusiasm and transform it into real, meaningful innovation. “We are excited for this opportunity because we get to have an opportunity that few people get to have; we can work with NASA on a rover that we designed,” said Dylan Stampfel ’26, reflecting the excitement shared across the group.

This year marks the Science Research Club’s second attempt at the NASA Human Exploration Rover Challenge, with the team now shifting its focus toward robotics. After last year’s difficulties, which included limited resources and repeated mechanical failures with their fully powered rover, the students felt that a new direction was necessary. They were not alone in these challenges. Many schools across the country faced similar setbacks, and students quickly learned that even in a competitive environment, teams are often eager to offer support and share advice with those determined to try again. Chris Covelli ’28 described the experience best: “The competition is a lot of fun, really frustrating, but a lot of times you get to build things you like with the friends you like.”

Team formation also plays an important role in the process. Chaminade students will once again work on a coeducational team with students from Kellenberg Memorial High School. Each group receives guidance from a Chaminade alumnus, financial support from the school, and help from the Woodworking Club for specialized components. These partnerships highlight just how complex and collaborative the experience can be. As moderator Ms. Mary Kate Siriani noted, “It is a good chance for the students to learn the engineering process and get feedback from the official NASA team.”

The competition involves many demanding stages. It begins in August when the school year starts and continues with several months of proposal work. The first round of selections is made in late September. If a team is chosen, students eventually travel to Huntsville, Alabama, in April for the main event. Before reaching that point, participants must complete a final design review, prepare a detailed plan of materials and costs, and present their work to NASA for approval. The last portion of the process, commonly called the building stage, requires teams to construct their rover, complete community outreach, and meet strict deadlines.

At the moment, Chaminade’s team is finishing its final design, which it will present to NASA at the end of November. Their determination is clear in every part of the project. “I’m just excited to work with NASA again and help bring engineering to Chaminade. This club is my life’s work and I’m currently on 4 hours of sleep due to how much I love this club,” shared Antonio Savastano ’26, highlighting the dedication behind the scenes. Throughout the experience, students gain valuable knowledge in engineering, design, hands-on problem solving, and most importantly, teamwork.