Salinas, Calif. – Hartnell College Foundation K-12 STEAM program is proud to be the recipient of two important recognitions: the NASA Community College Aerospace Scholars (NCAS) award and Salinas City Elementary School District recognition for involvement in the implementation of the Invention Convention competition.

Invention Convention Innovators Award

K-12 STEAM Program received a very special recognition from the Salinas City Elementary School District. At a school board meeting, the district Director of Extended Learning, Chloe Johnson, presented the team with the Invention Convention Innovators Award. Johnson said, “Experiences like the California Invention Convention help shift students’ outlook on the future from limited options to infinite possibilities. We’re especially proud that 15 of our students advanced from our local Invention Convention to the Northern California State Competition in Sacramento, where five of them earned awards for their innovative ideas.”

Director of K-12 STEAM Program, Ana Ibarra-Castro, is proud of her team, which includes program coordinators Lupita Arroyo and Andrea Sanchez. Ibarra-Castro said, “It is a true honor to serve the students at the Salinas City Elementary School District. Leaders such as Chloe Johnson, Superintendent Dr. Rebeca Andrade, and the many dedicated administrators and educators are paving the way for a thriving student population—one that will ultimately strengthen and uplift our entire community. We are deeply grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the district’s vision and to be part of this important work."

NASA MUREP Partnership Learning Annual Notification (MPLAN) Award – $50,000

The Hartnell College K-12 STEAM Program is proud to be one of 10 community colleges nationwide to receive the NASA MPLAN award of $50,000 to become a NASA Community College Aerospace Scholar (NCAS). This funding will launch the “From AgTech to Space Tech” Robotics Entrepreneurship Challenge, a groundbreaking competition where more than 40 Central Coast college students will design not only robots but also their practical applications—integrating engineering with entrepreneurship. Participants will receive stipends and compete for monetary prizes, bringing innovation to life.

“We are truly honored to receive NASA’s MPLAN award! The AgTech to Space Tech project will allow students to take part in an exciting robotics competition that not only builds technical skillsin robotics and engineering but also sparks creativity and entrepreneurship through a pitch challenge,” said Ana Ibarra-Castro, Director of K-12 STEAM Programs. “We can’t wait to see the imagination, talent, and innovation our students will bring to life!”

This award builds on the momentum of a record-breaking summer for the NASA MUREP Aerospace Academy (MAA) at Hartnell College, which engaged more than 170 high school students across the Alisal and King City campuses. Students participated in hands-on aerospace engineering projects such as acoustic damping, joined field trips, and presented research at a symposium—gaining early exposure to the STEM fields shaping our future.

NASA projects that in the next five years, it will need one million workers to support its missions and initiatives. Through NASA MAA and the new Robotics Entrepreneurship Challenge, Hartnell College and the Hartnell College Foundation's K-12 STEAM Program is helping prepare the next generation of problem-solvers, innovators, and workforce leaders.

“Looking ahead, we are excited about the continued opportunities NASA will provide as it develops its future workforce,” added Ibarra-Castro.

For more information about K-12 STEAM Program, contact Ana Ibarra-Castro at aibarra@hartnellcollegefoundation.org.

ABOUT HARTNELL COLLEGE FOUNDATION

Hartnell College Foundation was established in 1979 by a committed group of community volunteers to support Hartnell College with its philanthropic work, support for scholarships, innovative programs, state-of-the-art facilities, public-private partnerships, and bond campaigns to support the educational success and workforce training of the citizenry of the Salinas Valley. For more information, visit 

https://hartnellfoundation.org.