UST Student from Cagayan Wins Big at NASA Space Program

HOUSTON, TEXAS — A young Filipina is bringing pride to the Philippines after winning multiple awards at the prestigious HASSE Space School Program 2025 held at the NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas.

Atasha Faye T. Maggay, a Grade 12 STEM student from the University of Santo Tomas (UST) and a native of Barangay Camasi, Peñablanca, Cagayan, emerged as one of the top-performing participants among international students in a program that simulates the rigors of space exploration and scientific innovation.

Maggay was one of only 15 students selected from the Philippines to join the international cohort of young scholars. She made her mark in several high-level competitions during the program, earning top honors in the following categories:

• 1st Place – Martian Habitat Challenge, Robotics, Cryogenic Challenge

• 2nd Place – Lunar Habitat Challenge, Rocketry, Endothermic Challenge

• 3rd Place – Coding Challenge

• Silver Medalist – NASA Space Center University

• 2nd Overall Rank – as a member of the White Team

  
  

Participants in the HASSE Space School Program undergo real-world training and immersive experiences similar to those of NASA astronauts. Atasha participated in hands-on engineering challenges, designed and built working models, and received mentorship from top scientists and astronauts, including Col. William McArthur, a veteran NASA astronaut.

In a statement, her mentors described Atasha as “a bright and determined young scientist whose performance demonstrates the exceptional potential of Filipino students in the global arena.”

The Cagayana student’s accomplishments have sparked celebration back home, with local officials and educators praising her not only for her achievements but for serving as an inspiration to Filipino youth.

“This is not just a win for Atasha or for Peñablanca—it is a victory for the Philippines,” said a university official. “She represents the excellence, discipline, and global competitiveness of the Filipino learner.”

Atasha’s journey to NASA and her success in the program serve as a powerful reminder that even in fields as demanding as space science, the Filipino youth can lead, innovate, and soar.