8-14-2023
A free, three-year STEM program is seeking 30 San Antonio middle and high school students to design and build devices for exploring lunar caves. The Lunar Caves Analog Test Sites (LCATS) program, run by the nonprofit WEX Foundation, launches its new cohort in September 2023 with Saturday sessions at Port San Antonio. Students learn about robotics, lunar lava tube habitation, and challenges like lunar regolith (moon dust), while working on real NASA problems alongside engineering professionals from Astroport Space Technologies. The program, which pauses during summers, is fully funded through donations including a $110,000 gift from the Kelly Heritage Foundation, making it free for participating students.
From building prototypes of NASA’s RASSOR digging robot to testing their creations in actual caves, LCATS students gain hands-on engineering experience. In their final year, participants simulate a lunar mission at local cave systems like Robber Baron Cave or Kickapoo Cavern State Park. Alumni like Frank Lucci say the program teaches students “how to think like an engineer,” while former participant Siddhi Raut credits LCATS with helping her land a NASA internship. The program specifically aims to reach economically disadvantaged students, underrepresented minorities, and young women. The deadline to register for the 2023-24 school year is August 25, and students from all Bexar County districts in grades 8 through 10 are welcome to apply.