Inspiring the Next Generation of Global Space Explorers

CGC | Nairobi recently supported Gitika Gorthi - a  Columbia University SEAS student - in holding a Space Education Summit highlighting the value of every skill in the space economy and connecting local aerospace companies with future talent. The Summit, spearheaded by Gorthi's organization IgnitedThinkers, is part of a global series of Space Education Summits launched worldwide. In Kenya, major space entities such as the Kenya Space Agency, Leo Sky, and the STEMlens Network played a critical role in supporting and enhancing the Summit's success.

Here's what Gitika Gorthi had to say

1. Tell us more about yourself and your educational background.

My name is Gitika Gorthi, and I am a rising junior at Columbia University in SEAS studying biomedical engineering with a minor in economics on the pre-medical track. I am an aspiring aerospace physician and astronaut, aiming to understand the human body and disease mechanisms through space's unique microgravity environment! I am a former NASA, Harvard Medical School, and Icahn School of Medicine in ern. I am currently a student researcher at the Timothy Wang Laboratory at Columbia Medical School's Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center.

2. You founded Ignited Thinkers at a very young age. What inspired you to found the organization, and what were your dreams and hopes for it?

Growing up, I was always fascinated by space exploration. However, pursuing a career in aerospace seemed unrealistic; I never saw myself as a rocket scientist. This changed in middle school when a model rocketry unit in my Engineering and Design class hooked me on designing, building, and launching rockets. My teacher, Mr. Alan Anderson, encouraged me to join his after-school rocketry club, where I spent hours building rockets and earned certifications from the National Association of Rocketry. This experience gave me the confidence to believe I could belong in the aerospace industry.

In 8th grade, after my parents saw one of my rocket launches, my dad told me, "Gitika, you are so lucky to build and launch rockets at 13! Many kids around the world don't get experiences like this." This conversation made me realize the impact of my middle school club and Mr. Anderson. Inspired, I founded IgnitedThinkers, a non-profit organization dedicated to spreading space education to students worldwide. (www.ignitedthinkers.org)

3. The Ignited Thinkers movement has been exploring the global space educational summit in East Africa. What motivated this move?

One of IgnitedThinkers' main goals is to illustrate to students the opportunities in their country's growing aerospace industry so they can continue making the global aerospace industry accessible to everyone. Recently, East Africa has been advancing their investment in the aerospace sector and increasing the number of job opportunities available for their citizens; we believed this would be the perfect time to make more students aware of their country's growing aerospace job market to continue propelling East Africa's role in the aerospace economy.

4. What made the global education summit in Kenya particularly special?

Kenya has truly captured my heart! During three days of outreach events at the University of Nairobi and on the outskirts of Nairobi for a local Maasai community, I had the opportunity to engage with over 500 students. Every interaction left me feeling inspired and overjoyed by the incredible talent of the next generation of space explorers. The IgnitedThinkers Global Space Education Summit in Kenya was extraordinary because I connected with many like-minded partners with similar missions and goals.

🌟As a Columbia University in Columbia Engineering student, partnering with the Columbia Global Centers in Nairobi and connecting with my Columbia family in Kenya was magical!

🌟 Kenya's aerospace job market is growing, and it was an honor to partner with the Kenya Space Agency to illustrate the career opportunities in this sector to students.

🌟IgnitedThinkers partners with various space education organizations globally; it was a pleasure linking with Leo Sky Africa (Founder: Kimani Nyoike), whom we will continue working with to amplify space education throughout Kenya!

🌟As a FIRST member (Jr. FIRST Lego League, FIRST Lego League, and FIRST Tech Challenge) from first grade through twelfth grade, robotics has been essential for me to become the engineer I am today. Partnering with STEMlens Network to tie space and robotics together at the Summit was incredible!

A special shout-out to DEEP SPACE INITIATIVE, founded by Astronaut Sara Sabry, for offering accessible research opportunities during the Summit. These opportunities allow students worldwide to enter the global aerospace sector. We united students from diverse backgrounds to learn about Kenya's space ecosystem and how to get involved as young professionals. With the support of Kenya's national news networks, we ignited their passion for space exploration. We spread the message about investing in space to advance life on Earth. The collaboration and impact were terrific!

5. Who inspires you to keep pursuing space-related careers and inspire many other young adults?

Growing up as a Girl Scout (from kindergarten through the end of high school), I was instilled with the idea of taking action. Every time I do an outreach event, the students' feedback, curiosity, and excitement re-fuels my passion and energy to keep expanding my outreach efforts through IgnitedThinkers and use my unique passion for aerospace medicine to advance life on Earth and in space.

6. Any last thoughts?

Thank you for your support, Columbia University! It was an honor to connect with and meet with the Columbia family in Kenya. Go, Lions!