Soldering on – Spencer Cleland hopes to work as an engineer – or enter the biomedical or aerospace fields.
Spencer Cleland is shooting for the stars as her prepares to go boldly where only a select group of budding scientists have gone before.
The St Peter’s School year 13 student is one of 24 around the world chosen to attend this year’s European Space Camp in Norway, an annual week-long learning experience for high flying students aged 17-20.
He was in his lounge, about to watch Netflix, when he got a phone call from the Royal Society Te Apārangi to say his application had been successful.
“It’s kind of mind-blowing really,” he said. “I couldn’t really speak when I got told; I was very excited. My mum was screaming when I found out and I was just sitting there, not having any words.”
Inspired by his former chemistry teacher to apply, Spencer was one of only of only two New Zealand students to receive a grant to attend the camp from the Royal Society, a not-for-profit organisation that supports New Zealanders to explore, discover and share knowledge.
The driven 18-year-old, an academic prefect who topped his physics, chemistry and mathematics with calculus classes last year, hopes the experience will help him firm up career options.
“Going to Norway, I’ll be able to find out if I really want to go down the engineering pathway, but also build lots of connections,” he said.
“They talk about how we get to talk to some of Europe’s greatest engineers and scientists, which I think is quite cool, and I think it will be really helpful for my future.”
During his week at the camp, held at the Andøya space centre in northern Norway, he will hear lectures from top academics and work with other students to build and launch a 2.7m long Mongoose research rocket.
Other activities will include sightseeing and tramping.
“They talk about a swim under the midnight sun because it’s always day there,” said Spencer, who has never been to Europe. “I’ve been told to bring an eye mask so I can sleep.”
Spencer has lived in Cambridge since he was 18 months old, when his family moved here from New York. He attended Hautapu School before heading to St Peter’s in year 7.
“It’s a big commitment for my parents to send me to St Peter’s so I really want to make the most of the opportunities that I’ve been given,” he said.
His dream is to work as an engineer for NASA, Rocket Lab or another large firm, or enter the biomedical or aerospace fields.
For the talented student, as the space camp organisers put it, “the sky’s not the limit – it’s where the fun begins”.
