In a first-of-its-kind partnership between Honeywell and Pūhoro, five rangatahi Māori have returned from Huntsville, Alabama, where they participated in, and graduated from, a week-long space camp at the US Space & Rocket Center.
In a first-of-its-kind partnership between Honeywell and Pūhoro, five rangatahi Māori have returned from Huntsville, Alabama, where they participated in, and graduated from, a week-long space camp at the US Space & Rocket Center.
Joined by over 120 young people from across the world, Bailee Morgan (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Porou, Tainui – Auckland Girls' Grammar School – Ngā Tūmanako o Kahurangi), Bostyn Te Whaiti (Ngāti Kahungunu – Karamū High School), Anizma-Jae Titoko Isaacs (Ngāi Tahu, Ngāi Tūhoe – Hillcrest High School), Dustin Marshall (Tamahaki – Burnside High School), and Fletcher Lochhead (Ngāti Mutunga – Palmerston North Boys' High School) made up the first-ever cohort fromAotearoa to participate in the Honeywell Leadership Challenge Academy. The programme is designed to provide real-world, hands-on activities in aerospace, astronautics, engineering, computing, and other STEM disciplines while developing leadership and teamwork skills.
Selected to attend the camp based on their commitment to the Pūhoro kaupapa, their aspirations in STEM, and their leadership potential, the students thrived in a dynamic environment that pushed them out of their comfort zones.
“We are extremely proud of how our rangatahi represented Aotearoa on the global stage. While the experience has been mentally and physically challenging at times, they have given their all, growing in confidence day by day,” said Jason Tahi, Pūhoro Chaperone.
“With Mātauranga Māori at the core, they’ve enjoyed showcasing our culture and teaching other indigenous youth about the value their unique Māori worldview brings to STEM,” he said.
The camp began with a whakawhanaungatanga session and an opportunity to explore the state-of- the-art facilities at the US Space & Rocket Center, which houses the world’s largest collection of rockets and space memorabilia.
Rangatahi were then split into their camp groups through which they participated in a variety of STEM-based sessions together, including simulated space shuttle missions, testing take-off and landing technology, building heat shields for shuttle returnees, and hearing from leading industry professionals.
A highlight for many was the chance to experience astronaut training, using a Multi-Axis Trainer that simulates a ride through space, and the 1/6th Chair, which mimics the sensation of walking in space.
On Day 5, the students launched model rockets they had built, a culmination of their efforts throughout the week. Theythen came together for an official graduation ceremony. As part of a 125 strong cohort, our rangatahi were awarded four awards:
· Critical Thinking group award recipients - Dustin Marshall and Anizma-Jae Titoko Isaacs
· Leadership group award and overall MVP – Bostyn Te Whaiti
· Most outstanding team - Team Focus (Anizma-Jae Titoko Isaacs and Bostyn Te Whaiti)
Reflecting on her experience, Anizma spoke of the connections she made, the challenges she overcame and the many new learnings.
“Ahakoa he iti he pounamu – although the time was short, I made a lot of memories and friendships with new people. A highlight for me was when I was the commander of our mission and got to help fly the plane, landing it safely on the runway. I also enjoyed being pushed out of my comfort zone and challenged to try new things.
The camp leaders and industry people we met shared so much cool information with us. For anyone considering an experience like this with Pūhoro keep an open-mind and soak it all in, because there is so much you can learn,” said Anizma-Jae Titoko Isaacs: Ngāi Tahu, Ngāi Tūhoe (Hillcrest High School - Te Kura Tuarua o Tihipuke)
For Dustin Marshall - Tamahaki (Burnside High School) , who has had a lifelong interest in space, the trip was an opportunity to birng his dreams to life.
“I was so grateful to be chosen for this trip. I am hugely passionate about the space industry and next year I am going to study aerospace engineering at the University of Canterbury.
To be able to get global exposure to the industry and hands-on experience using simulators opened my eyes to what it would be like participating in a space mission. I also really enjoyed the opportunity to make friends with other young people from across the world and put our teamwork and communications skills to the test. One day I hope to of one of New Zealand’s rocket companies, leading the space industry into a new era. In the meantime, I’d love to return to the camp next year as a group leader,” he said.
This trip is part of Pūhoro’s newly established Nōku Te Ao programme, designed to expose rangatahi Māori to diverse opportunities in STEM globally and to connect with other indigenous peoples working in these fields. In November, an additional 15 rangatahi Māori will travel with Pūhoro to Silicon Valley.
“These trips are once-in-a-lifetime experiences that open our rangatahi’s hearts and minds to the global opportunitiesavailable in STEM for Māori. However, It is important that we recognise that the success of these opportunities does not lay in the overseas experiences alone.
We are working to connect these rangatahi post space camp, to be part of a newly created rangatahi reference group for the space sector in collaboration with the University of Auckland. Seeing our rangatahi receive awards amongst a truly globally represented cohort, in key areas such as leadership, critical thinking and excellence in teamwork, demonstrates the ability our rangatahi have to shine on a global stage in STEMM.” said Kemp Reweti, Manahautū.
“I want to acknowledge Honeywell for making this possible. It has been a pleasure working with an organisation that believes in our rangatahi and understands the value and significance of Māori in STEM. The impact that this camp has had on our rangatahi will last a lifetime,” he said.
Photo Credit: Reena Rose Sibayan/Reena Rose Photography
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