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Andrea Coto wants to go to ISU

Andrea just received her acceptance letter to the Southern Hemisphere Summer Space Program from the International Space University ISU. This program is a unique, five-week live-in experience focusing on the space industry, and it will take place in Adelaide, Australia from January 15 to February 16, 2018. Andrea’s fundraising goal is $12,000 USD that will cover cost of tuition, accommodation, meals, and flight tickets. Thank you so much for considering donating to this cause, and to Andrea’s educational, and professional development.



Here is Andrea’s personal story, and how her passion for “space” started:



Andrea Coto is an undergraduate Civil Engineering student who is passionate about the Space Industry. She was born in San Francisco, California, but was raised in El Salvador. Despite many challenges, Andrea persisted and finished high school in El Salvador. She enrolled in a two-year program to be a Civil Engineer Technician, and she graduated in 2011 with honors and as the #1 student in my class. Seeing her family struggle with psychological and financial problems made her realize that she had to do something to provide her mother and brother with a better quality of life. Hence, she took the hardest decision that she has ever taken. She left home in June 17th, 2011 looking for her ‘own American dream’. Andrea arrived in San Francisco, started working and realized that although she was a U.S. citizen, she was going to be treated as a young woman who did not have proficient English skills, and that “education” was the key. She enrolled at City College of San Francisco as a noncredit English as Second Language student, and after taking multiple English classes, she registered as a full-time credit student. While working very hard in multiple jobs, and being a full-time student at the same time, she reunited with her mother and brother in the U.S. In May of 2016, Andrea graduated from CCSF with honors, three associate degrees, and as the 81st commencement student speaker. She transferred to San Jose State University where she continues her undergraduate studies in Civil Engineering with an expected graduation of December 2018.

“On summer of 2016, I started my journey at NASA when I was part of the STEM Community College Institute Program at NASA Ames Research Center. In this program, I was chosen to be the project manager of the only all-female Robotics team, and I learned how to manage budgets, schedules, and about the importance of safety while working with laser cutters, 3D Printers, and various electronic devices. During Spring of 2017, I was selected as a scholar on the NASA NCAS- National Community College Aerospace program. This was a unique experience in which I learn about the many aspects of NASA’s Journey to Mars, and I was selected as one of the three MVP-Most Valuable Players from the program. After finishing the NCAS program, I started a formal student internship at NASA Ames Research Center at the Technology Transfer Office. Currently, I am a student intern at the Strategic Partnerships Office, and I am learning how NASA is bringing new technology down to Earth. All these experiences make me realize how important technology, and space science are for humanity. Moreover, I have learned how passionate I am towards space business, and project management. Particularly, I am interested in space infrastructure, and how permanent platforms and habitats could be built in space. Participating at the Southern Hemisphere Summer Space Program will provide me with very specific tools needed to continue my educational, and professional development in the Space industry. Moreover, I can contribute to this program my unique experience as a woman, immigrant, and as a future engineer. In addition, all the multidisciplinary key activities, and knowledge learned from this program will make me a better citizen to the American society.” –Andrea.



Organizer

Andrea Coto Ardon
Organizer
South San Francisco, CA

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