This Is Florida Tech

Transcript

Okay everyone, let’s first head over to the Academic Quad here at Florida Tech, and meet Alyssa Carson. She’s a sophomore majoring in astrobiology. By the way, she will most likely be the first person to Mars, but you’ll hear more about that from her. And she’s going to talk to us about the unique character of Florida Tech, and how the university got its start, which is a very cool story. Okay, Alyssa, it’s all yours, take it away.

Hey, hey everyone, there’s so much that makes Florida Tech unique from all these other universities, but there is one thing that makes us truly special, and that is space. It all started in 1958, the same year that NASA was established. A physicist named Jerome P. Keuper started a small school to provide advanced education for the scientists, and engineers that were working in the US Space Program. He built it right here in Melbourne, Florida just 45 minutes away from where the rockets take off. Because of that, students at this campus have been able to watch every US space launch ever.

Absolutely no other college can claim this. Most importantly, Dr. Keuper made Florida Institute of Technology a place where visionaries and dreamers like me, could launch our career. I chose Florida Tech because one day, I want to be on a mission to Mars. There, I could study the soil, search for signs of bacterial life in the water, and study the atmosphere. To get to space, I need to become an astronaut, which means building the best resume and experience that I can get. This is something that I’ve been doing for a while now.

When I was 15, I joined Project PoSSUM, an aeronautics education program to conduct real life research. With them, I have been able to do microgravity flights, water survival training, G-Force, and spacesuit evaluations. I’ve also gotten my pilot’s license, and my advanced scuba certification. All of this has led to my apply in astronautics certification, and being certified for suborbital flights. Now I’m here at Florida Tech studying astrobiology which isn’t a major that you can find at many other universities. Here, I feel like I’m surrounded by people who get me. Many of my professors, and students have done amazing research with big companies like NASA, SpaceX, Northrop Grumman, Boeing, and Jacobs.

My next steps are to continue getting involved in as much research as I can, getting my instrument rating for my pilot’s license, and seeking any other opportunities. I believe that Florida Tech is putting me on the right path to achieve my career. It’s great being at a university that is a part of the Space Coast, both the space part, and the coast. From campus, I can see rocket launches, and I can go and visit the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex on the weekends. Plus I can visit the beach whenever I want. And it’s like everyone here believes in you, which makes you believe in yourself even more. I’m so thankful that I get to spend the next few years here on campus studying what I love, at a university that has welcomed me with open arms. That’s all for me guys, back to you, Alex

Alyssa, thank you for taking us through the storied history here at Florida Tech. It’s fascinating, and congrats on everything you have personally accomplished, and good luck on all your future space endeavors. Thanks again, Alyssa.