The Shore Road campus welcomed NASA engineer Vandi Verma and a team from Auckland University, who brought their Mars Replica Rover to the Boys' School. Years 5 - 7 students from both the Boys' School and Girls' Schools attended the event in person, while the rest of the Boys’ School students joined via livestream.
Verma, the chief engineer for robotic operations on NASA’s Perseverance Mission, shared her significant career journey with the students. With over 15 years of experience, she has been instrumental in operating several Mars Rovers, including Opportunity, Spirit, Curiosity, and Perseverance. Her stories captivated the students, bridging the gap between their imaginations and the realities of space exploration, as she explained details like how to send commands to Rover’s millions of miles away on Mars.
The visit was part of a nationwide tour marking 150 years of scientific collaboration between New Zealand and the United States, as well as NASA's celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Mars Rover Program. With stops at notable venues like Te Papa Museum, South Canterbury Museum, and universities across the country, the school was honoured to host such an extraordinary experience.
During a Q&A session, students asked Verma about the technical challenges she’s faced and the breakthrough moments of her career. After watching Good Night Oppy in preparation for the event, the students came armed with insightful questions about Mars exploration, space technology, and the importance of teamwork.
Reflecting on the visit, Year 8 student Ayden Singh-Ali told One News, “I think it might be a pathway I might like to look at in my future.” He wasn't the only one inspired, as the presentation encouraged all the students present to reach for the stars and consider their future roles in space exploration.
