NASA opportunity beckons for Lurgan student after winning United Space School place in Houston, Texas

By Valerie Martin
Published 22nd Apr 2024, 15:45 BST
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A Lurgan student has revealed how stargazing with his grandfather kindled a love of science that has now led to him being awarded a coveted place in the United Space School (USS).

Lee Johnston, a student at the Southern Regional College (SRC), is looking forward to enjoying a real NASA experience in Houston, Texas this summer.

The 18-year-old Year 1 Applied Science student will join a team of students from all over the world to study at the University of Clear Lake, next to the NASA Johnson Space Centre.

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The United Space School competition was established by the Foundation for International Space Education (FISE) a private foundation with the mission to provide space-based education to international pre-university students, while offering an introduction and orientation to the aerospace industry.

Southern Regional College (SRC) student Lee Johnston pictured with Laura Martin SRC curriculum area manager, Faculty of Health and Science. Picture: SRCSouthern Regional College (SRC) student Lee Johnston pictured with Laura Martin SRC curriculum area manager, Faculty of Health and Science. Picture: SRC
Southern Regional College (SRC) student Lee Johnston pictured with Laura Martin SRC curriculum area manager, Faculty of Health and Science. Picture: SRC

Lee says he is excited over the opportunity to go to Houston, which he describes as on his ‘bucket list’. He is particularly keen to learn about Mars after completing research projects on the planet during his college course.

Lee said: “Space has always been a big interest of mine from when I was young. My granda and I would have used his telescope to look at the stars and with his partner, Eve. We would spend hours every weekend walking up and down the lane observing the night sky and talking about space. I’m specifically interested in learning more about Mars when I’m over there.”

Lee’s goal is to eventually work at the European Space Agency and he says this experience will be a huge help for him in gaining a career in astrophysics.

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