Kimiora Broadbridge, a 16-year-old student from Suva Grammar School, recently participated in the United States Space Camper Program alongside Mikel Fareed at the US Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama. This program aims to inspire and engage young people through practical applications of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). Following her return to Fiji, Kaila! Acting Deputy Editor, Debra Strong, conducted a Q&A session with Kimiora.
Before joining the program, Kimiora expressed an interest in the medical field but was uncertain whether to pursue engineering or medicine. She discovered the program just a day before applications closed, having come across it on Facebook. Despite the late notice, she and her mother rushed to submit a video application, managing to complete it just before the deadline, amidst her exhaustion.
Although she initially had many questions about the program, she later discovered that it required significant effort and commitment, especially in her physics classes. She described the experience of participating in the program as both exhausting and rewarding, highlighting the friendly environment and the quick friendships she formed during her week there.
With more than 100 participants in total, Kimiora’s team consisted of 16 members, including individuals from various parts of the world, such as Montreal and Italy. She was accompanied by Mikel from Fiji, and she noted that no other kids from the Pacific were present.
Among the highlights of her trip was a challenging three-hour simulation mission where she and a teammate from Italy wore spacesuits and undertook tasks to fix parts of a spaceship, emulating the work astronauts do in space. She also experienced scuba diving for the first time and enjoyed zip-lining, which posed its own challenges.
A notable surprise for Kimiora was the difference in food; she mentioned trying fried chicken for breakfast, a stark contrast to her usual meals in Fiji. Additionally, she was impressed by the energetic attitude of her fellow participants, which encouraged her to face challenges, such as climbing a high ladder for a related activity.
The program deepened Kimiora’s understanding of physics, particularly as it applied to space exploration, which she previously found complex. She reflected on how her father’s background as a pilot gave her some insight into the workings of rocket ships before her experience at the camp.
Kimiora expressed a desire to participate in the program again and encouraged other students to apply, emphasizing the transformative nature of the opportunity. She appreciated meeting an astronaut, Christopher Sembroski, who shared personal insights about space travel, including the changes in height experienced in a zero-gravity environment.
Motivated by her family and their encouragement to seize the opportunity, Kimiora acknowledged that her attitude toward space and science had changed significantly after the trip. She now believes there’s much more to learn about space and science, particularly in light of pressing global issues like climate change, which impact the Pacific Islands.
In conclusion, Kimiora emphasized the importance of tackling the unknown and taking risks, noting that her experience taught her valuable lessons about determination and the potential to achieve great rewards from trying new things. She looks forward to sharing her experience and inspiring others in Fiji to explore opportunities in the STEM fields.