UNM's Space Day Celebration

The University of New Mexico (UNM) recently hosted an exhilarating Space Day event that captured the essence of space exploration while providing attendees with interactive experiences and vital information on internships. This event was part of UNM’s Research & Discovery Week, which aimed to engage the university community in the latest advancements in science and technology.

Engaging Lectures and Insights

During the event, a diverse group of faculty members, students, and staff gathered for a captivating Space Day lecture, where passionate speakers from NASA and other space organizations shared their insights and achievements. They highlighted UNM's extensive history in space research, especially its collaborations with two National Laboratories, fostering a community spirit among aspiring astronomers and scientists in New Mexico—a region with a rich 50-year tradition of gazing at the stars.

A Mission to Inspire STEM Students

One of the highlights was Charles “Chip” Shearer, a research professor in the Department of Earth & Planetary Sciences and a research assistant at UNM’s Institute of Meteoritics. Shearer emphasized that the core mission of Space Day was to inspire STEM students and provide a platform to explore various opportunities. “We have numerous groups both on and off campus to illustrate the number of opportunities available to students,” he stated. “There’s information on internships and employment opportunities here. We focused this workshop around students and faculty opportunities.”

Interactive Experiences

Event attendees enjoyed complimentary lunch and refreshing beverages while exploring various exhibits dedicated to space concepts. Among the attractions was a VR headset that offered a stunning view of Mars's surface, alongside an intriguing display featuring a disassembled Lobo rocket. Visitors were also captivated by a futuristic silver trophy that signified UNM's proud achievements in the NASA MINDS competition.

Student Achievements and Prospects

Trinity Griffus, an undergraduate Biology major and last year’s NASA MINDS undergraduate lead, expressed pride in her team’s accomplishments. “So last year out of 50 competing teams across the country, we won first place grand champions,” Griffus beamed, attributing her victory to the resources provided by UNM. “At Space Day, we’re hoping to recruit more aspiring students to join projects like this to gain experience.”

Opportunities for Exploration

Students were encouraged to explore myriad opportunities offered by both the university and external contributors such as the Space Force and National Laboratories. Shearer underlined the long-standing commitment of UNM to space studies, recounting how the university established the world’s first Institute of Meteoritics in the 1940s, dedicated to the scientific examination of extraterrestrial materials.

A Legacy in Space Studies

“UNM has always been involved in space,” Shearer remarked. “The institute housed precious meteorites and even the first moon rock samples after the Apollo missions. Space Day served not only as a celebration of our past but as a gateway to current projects and innovations in space exploration.”

Honoring New Mexico's Astronomical Heritage

The event also acknowledged New Mexico's historical connection to the cosmos, illustrating how Indigenous peoples utilized astronomical observations for agriculture and storytelling. “Space Day at UNM was a culmination of our past efforts and present ambitions for space exploration,” Shearer concluded.

Inspiration for the Future

As the event came to a close, it left attendees inspired and motivated to reach for the stars, reinforcing the notion that the future of space exploration is bright—especially at UNM!

Stay Tuned

Stay tuned for our next article, as we delve into the latest breakthroughs in space technology and how you can be a part of this remarkable journey!