San Antonio’s Space Exploration Academy Inspires the Next Generation of Engineers

San Antonio is reaching for the stars—literally. The Space Exploration Academy Foundation (SEA Foundation) is giving high school students hands-on experience in engineering and STEM through an exciting space exploration program. This new nonprofit, led by top scientists from UTSA, NASA, and the Southwest Research Institute (SwRI), is preparing the next generation of space innovators.

A Mission to Educate and Inspire

On Saturday mornings, students from across San Antonio gather at the Boeing Center at Tech Port to take part in this five-week academy. They engage in interactive lectures and hands-on experiments, tackling real-world engineering challenges. One of the highlights? Building and programming miniature lunar rovers to navigate different terrains—just like NASA’s Mars rovers.

“They've chosen not to use a pre-built program," said Dr. Prassana Kolar, an applied physics research engineer at SwRI and SEA Foundation mentor. "They took the challenging route of coding it."

When the rover successfully followed its programmed path, the students cheered in excitement—proof that STEM education can be just as thrilling as a rocket launch.

Bridging the Gap Between Education and Careers

For students like Destiny Ramos and Evany Longoria from South San Antonio High School, the SEA Foundation is an opportunity to explore their passion for space and engineering.

"Mr. Ruiz told us about it," Destiny shared. "He said it was about space and computers, and I was like, ‘I wanna do it because I'm so fascinated by space.’"

The program introduces students to cutting-edge space innovations, including:

• Solar-powered satellites that could provide limitless energy to Earth
• Robotic advancements for lunar infrastructure
• Vacuum sciences for space environments

With NASA planning to establish human settlements on the Moon by 2040, these students are learning the skills needed to help build the future of space exploration.

A Community-Driven Program

The SEA Foundation received a $47,000 grant from the Kelly Heritage Foundation (KHF), allowing the program to provide:
✅ Free tuition for students
✅ Mini rover kits and laptops for each participant
✅ Stipends for UTSA engineering undergraduates to serve as mentors

"This is a program we really love at Kelly Heritage Foundation," said Port San Antonio President and CEO Jim Perschbach. "Encouraging the next generation of San Antonio students to reach for the stars continues the city’s legacy in aerospace and innovation."

What’s Next for the SEA Foundation?

With the success of its first cohort, the SEA Foundation is expanding to offer more specialized programs:
🚀 Spring Session: A deep dive into vacuum sciences
🪐 Summer Session: Exploring Mars’ atmosphere and designing future habitats
🤖 Future Courses: Introduction to space robotics

Students can earn certificates for completing each program, and those who complete all four will be ready to apply for STEM internships.

Join the Space Exploration Movement

The SEA Foundation is building a community of future explorers—one experiment at a time. Even students who take just one course leave with a newfound curiosity and confidence in STEM.

Want to get involved?
🔗 Register for upcoming programs
📧 Email: spaceexplorationacademy@gmail.com
📸 Follow their journey on Instagram: @spaceexacad2024

San Antonio’s role in space exploration is just beginning—and the next generation of engineers is already in training.

Kristen Smith Realtor, Best San Antonio Realtor