Mondale High learner chosen for NASA's prestigious space competition
Zayaan Abdurahman , a grade 11 learner from Mondale High has been selected to represent South Africa at NASA's International Space Settlement Design Competition.
Image: supplied
A Grade 11 learner at Mondale High School in Mitchells Plain is literally reaching for the stars as she has been selected by the South African Space Design Competition (ZASDC) to participate in a prestigious educational trip to NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Florida.
According to the school, the ZASDC recognised Zayaan Aburahman's leadership, academic prowess, and organisational skills when she participated in the "Space Design Competition" that took place at UCT in March.
The school said Zayaan and a group of learners were required to create a settlement on the moon for approximately 600 people.
It detailed that Zayaan will leave for her trip to NASA on July 26, to participate in the International Space Settlement Design Competition (ISSDC).
Her mother, Nabeelah Abdurahman, has initiated a BackaBuddy campaign to raise funds for expenses.
“We are incredibly proud of Zayaan. We look forward to hearing about the visit to NASA when Zayaan returns to South Africa,” said the school via their Facebook page.
During an interview with the Cape Argus, Nabeelah said she was proud of her daughter’s determination.
“We, as parents, always tell our kids to rise above the situation or circumstance we find ourselves in, however, Zayaan does it with elegance and confidence, accepts success and failure, but never gives up.
"It's inspiring for her younger two siblings to know that anything is possible when you apply yourself."
Nabeelah said Zayaan was encouraged by a teacher to participate, along with 11 other learners.
"Her physics teacher, Ms Boonzaaier, encouraged 12 students to sign up for the competition representing Mondale High School,” she explained.
“The competition took place during the school holidays at UCT, held over two days, whereby 109 learners from 9 different schools were divided into 3 teams to design a space settlement on the moon. They had to fulfil specific requirements given by the judges for a sustainable living environment.
“Students from around the world will compete to design futuristic space settlements in teams, simulating the work of real aerospace companies responding to a contract from a fictional space agency.”
The competition is expected to include 270 students from over 20 countries who will compete ISSDC.
Zayaan told Cape Argus she was thrilled to have been selected.
“It's an unbelievable opportunity that I was given, and I'm glad that I can set an example for younger students and show them that there are no limits to the goals you set in life.”
She said in preparation for the competition, the founder of the ZASDC, their chaperone, Jagger Cooper-Doubell, hosts meetings in order to get to know the teammates.
Her mother added that in order to support her trip, a BackaBuddy campaign titled: “Zayaan’s journey to NASA’s International Space Settlement Design Competition (ISSDC)” has been started to cover expenses such as her visa, travel insurance, and passport.