NewWorlds by Rachel

NewWorlds by Rachel - December 2016 Scholarship Essay

Throughout my high school career I have been involved in several theoretical and experimental projects in the engineering field. The most influential of these was the New Worlds Space competition team in which I was co-captain for 2 years. In this project, we developed a sustainable model for a colony on Mars including both a 3-D computer model of structures, habitats and mechanisms as well as an in depth research paper. This paper involved the proposal of methods to counteract the many problems accompanied by creating a colony on Mars. We focused on issues such as energy production, water, food, living conditions, sustainability, travel costs, air and environment. Through an analysis of chemical reactions, materials needed for structural integrity, current mechanisms and many other theoretical methods, we were able to determine a viable proposal for colonization and predict the probability of success and the realistic ability of nations to actually carry out this plan. Our project won first place in the competition, and is currently being shown in conferences around the world.
This project was one of the main contributors to not only my interest in engineering, but also an expansion of my thought process. I learned to think bigger, think smarter, and to efficiently focus and complete tasks ahead of me. It also taught me a very important lesson concerning my future interests and career goals. As I studied both the current space program and possible future programs, I saw a need within this program to have security. With all of the information concerning rockets and many forms of dangerous reactors, computer security has become one of the most essential parts of virtually all fields. For this reason, I hope to study computer engineering specializing in cyber security. Another big part of making this project successful was my background in advanced math and science courses. As a freshman, I took AP Calculus AB receiving a 5 on the exam and since that point I have taken advance placement chemistry, 3 different AP physics courses, and 3 other advanced math courses including multi-variable calculus. Although the New Worlds Space program was more focus on aerospace topics, it taught me the importance of security and helped to define my goals.
I am also interested in both chemical and nuclear engineering based on their application in the current problems in the United States. The current energy consumption of the United States and countries around the world is not sustainable, and for this reason, I hope to study possible solutions for clean and sustainable energy sources and processes. My focus on energy through chemical and nuclear engineering is fueled by my responsibility as a member of the human race to complete my part in the improvement of this world for future generations.