Atherton High's Rising Star: Ruby Korman's Path to Aerospace Engineering
On a chilly December day in 2024, while most Atherton High School students were busy preparing for final exams, Ruby Korman returned to her alma mater—not as a student, but as a guest lecturer. Currently thriving in her first year at the Craft Academy for Excellence in Science and Mathematics at Morehead State University, Ruby attributes her success to the strong foundation she built at Atherton. Instead of taking tests, she was sharing her experiences and insights about the exciting opportunities available in aerospace engineering, all while reconnecting with friends and highlighting the supportive community that nurtured her ambitions.
Ruby's journey has taken her from the halls of Atherton to hands-on projects with NASA, where she is working on initiatives like the Lunar Environment Monitoring Station (LEMS) and CXBN-3. As a Space Systems major, she is diving deep into physics and engineering courses while preparing for a future that includes pursuing aerospace engineering at MIT and a career in propulsion engineering. With dreams of contributing to moon colonization efforts, Ruby is already making significant strides in the field.
A Passion for Engineering
Ruby's journey into aerospace engineering began early. "I've always liked rockets," she says with a smile. This passion led her to pursue the Aerospace Engineering pathway in the Engineering Academy at Atherton High School during her freshman and sophomore years.
Her love for problem-solving and people found a perfect match in engineering. "Engineering is science with people," Ruby explains, encapsulating her view of the field. This perspective highlights the unique blend of scientific principles and human-centered problem-solving that engineering embodies. It emphasizes that engineering isn't just about cold calculations, but about creating solutions that improve people's lives and society as a whole.
Ruby's foundation in STEM began early. She attended Lowe Elementary and Meyzeek Middle School, where she participated in robotics competitions, sparking her interest in engineering and space technology.
“I’m going to MIT.”
From Atherton to the Craft Academy
Ruby's path took an exciting turn when she learned about the Craft Academy at Morehead State University. The Craft Academy for Excellence in Science and Mathematics is a two-year residential early college high school program for academically exceptional Kentucky students. It provides students with a postsecondary residential experience to complete their junior and senior high school years by enrolling in college courses.
After attending SpaceTrek, a "Women in Engineering" summer program at Morehead State University, where she engaged in a hands-on experience running her own satellite mission called CricketSat, Ruby decided to apply to the Craft Academy. During this program, participants completed a full space mission life cycle, working collaboratively to build and calibrate small, satellite-like instruments. This opportunity not only solidified Ruby's passion for aerospace but also provided her with valuable skills in teamwork, problem-solving, and practical applications of scientific principles.
Now in her first year at Craft Academy, Ruby is diving deep into physics, pre-calculus, and engineering courses. As a Space Systems major, she's already working on real-world projects with NASA, including the Lunar Environment Monitoring Station (LEMS) and CXBN-3. She's studying with the Space Science Center at the Craft Academy, which provides hands-on experience in space systems engineering and satellite technology.
Soaring High: Achievements and Certifications
Ruby standing in front of a restored replica of the Atlas rocket and Faith 7 capsule combination flown on the Mercury-Atlas 9 mission. This vehicle took Astronaut Gordon Cooper to space in 1963, making him the first American to spend twenty-four hours in space.
At just 16 years old, Ruby achieved a remarkable feat—obtaining her Remote Pilot's License (FAA Part 107 Drone Pilot Certificate). She credits Atherton High School for making this possible: "I never would have been able to afford it without the class at Atherton," Ruby says, referring to the drone class taught by Mr. Alan Williams. This class prepared her for the Part 107 certification test, which she passed successfully, allowing her to legally fly drones for commercial purposes.
Ruby's accomplishments extend beyond her pilot's license. She won second place in unmanned drone flight at a Technology Student Association (TSA) competition, showcasing her skills in drone technology and flight control. Additionally, she had the opportunity to meet NASA administrators at ASTRA-Con, an annual conference that brings together astronomy enthusiasts, professionals, and students to share knowledge and celebrate advancements in space science and technology. At the conference, she gave a technical presentation about CricketSat, which won her the Margaret Hamilton Award. The conference also afforded Ruby the opportunity to meet Dr. James Kenyon, Director of NASA’s Glenn Research Center, who offered Ruby the upcoming opportunity to tour the facility this March.
Ruby also received invaluable support from her friends at Atherton. "I turned down the Craft Academy four times before my friends convinced me to go," she admits, emphasizing how their encouragement played a crucial role in her decision to pursue this opportunity. Her friends not only motivated her but also participated in various projects alongside her.
Furthermore, Ruby showcased her engineering skills through competitions organized by Mr. Alan Williams. In April 2024, he hosted the second annual rocket launch competition at Atherton High School, where ten teams from local high schools competed with their 3D-printed rockets. This experience further fueled her enthusiasm for aerospace and provided her with hands-on experience in design and engineering. Of Mr. Williams, Ruby notes, “If not for everything I learned from Mr. Williams at Atherton, I would not have been able to track the path that led me to this point.”
Looking to the Future
At 17, Ruby's ambitions are as vast as the cosmos she hopes to explore. "I'm going to MIT," she declares confidently, outlining her plans to major in aerospace engineering and pursue a career in propulsion engineering. This specialized field focuses on the design and development of engines and propulsion systems for spacecraft and rockets, aligning perfectly with Ruby's passion for space exploration. Ruby plans to take advantage of every opportunity available at the Craft Academy, preparing diligently for her MIT application next year.
Her ultimate goal? To work on engineering for moon colonization. The skills and community she developed at Atherton became her launching pad, propelling her toward a future filled with possibilities in aerospace engineering. With her experience at the Space Science Center at Craft Academy and her growing industry-specific knowledge, Ruby is well on her way to reaching for the stars.
Ruby at the National Museum of the United States Air Force at Wright Paterson (NMUSAF) standing next to a mockup of the Space Shuttle. The crew section of this mock was used to train astronauts who were preparing for space missions.
Ruby standing next to the USAF infrared satellite, Teal Ruby. The satellite was meant to launch on Challenger STS-71B, the mission after the Challenger disaster. The image was taken at NMUSAF.