I’m a sophomore in high school and last weekend, I got to see the robots I programmed operate in the International Space Station. I got to do it by going to MIT for the NASA sponsored Zero Robotics Competition.

The mission of the Zero Robotics competition was simple: to change the trajectory of a comet with a sphere robot by either using gravity or by shooting it with a laser. We were solving a real life problem by coding a robot to prevent comets from hitting the earth.

In order for us to do that, we had to code the sphere and give it specific instructions; for example, move, rotate or shoot lasers at certain angle. After months of different rounds and preparations, our Zero Robotics team was picked to participate in the ISS Finals at MIT. We were able to see our code operate spheres at the International Space Station against other teams. It was fascinating to see our code run in the ISS and control the robots in space.

My team At Least We Tried did not win the competition, but true to our name we were happy that we tried. It was exciting to travel to MIT and see our code in action. It was also a very inspiring trip, where I got to meet many awesome people. I got meet the founders of Zero Robotics and the director of Ender’s Game, who talked to us about how they incorporated the science of zero gravity in the movie! I was lucky enough to hear the astronauts who have worked on the International Space Station speak. The astronauts told us of their intense training and preparation they had to go through before being able to fly into space.

One of the astronauts told us a story about how he decided to be an astronaut. When he was a kid, he saw a rocket launch into space when he was with his dad. He knew right there and then that he wanted to be on a rocket someday.

After going through this weekend and seeing my code in action, I had a similar epiphany. I want to pursue a career in science and engineering.

One of the organizers told the teams that the reason he loves to organize the Zero Robotics competition is because it helps high school students such as myself. He said, “You are the future, and we want to invest in the future.”

I am very glad that we were picked to go to the finals in the first year I did the program. I am glad that at least we tried, and next year we will still be trying.