For Lachlan Reeves, a quiet and inquisitive high school student from Melbourne, Australia, science had always been a passion—but it wasn’t until he stepped into NASA’s training facility through Legend College Preparatory’s Space School that his dream truly took shape.
Lachlan joined the LCP Space School to NASA program as part of an international cohort of students curious about aerospace, innovation, and the future of humanity beyond Earth. Over the course of the intensive program, he attended exclusive lectures delivered by NASA astronauts and engineers, participated in hands-on design projects, and worked in team-based simulations that mirrored real-world challenges faced by NASA mission crews.
But the moment that changed everything came during a visit to a cutting-edge rocket propulsion company researching plasma energy systems. Watching engineers test experimental plasma thrusters—technology once imagined only in science fiction—Lachlan realized he wasn’t just observing innovation; he wanted to be part of it.
“I had never even considered studying in the U.S.,” he later reflected. “But standing there, speaking to engineers who had graduated from Caltech and MIT, I saw how accessible it could be if I planned the right way.”
With guidance from LCP’s academic advising and college counseling team, Lachlan began to pursue a clear goal: apply to top U.S. universities with a focus on space science and aerospace engineering. He enrolled in UC-approved STEM courses through LCP’s Open Learning Networks, participated in independent study projects focused on propulsion systems, and submitted a research portfolio that included his reflections from the Space School experience.
One year later, Lachlan received an email that confirmed his new trajectory:
“Congratulations! We are pleased to offer you admission to the University of Colorado Boulder’s Astrophysical and
Planetary Sciences program.”
He had also been accepted to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Purdue, and the University of Arizona—but Boulder, with its partnerships with NASA and emphasis on atmospheric research, felt like the perfect launchpad.
Looking Forward
Today, Lachlan continues to stay connected with LCP’s global student network, often sharing advice with younger students interested in aerospace and physics. His story is a testament to the power of exposure, opportunity, and early guidance—and how one immersive experience can shift the course of a student’s life.
Disclaimer:
The name “Lachlan Reeves” and aspects of this story are fictional and created for illustrative purposes to protect student privacy. The scenario reflects real experiences of students who have participated in Legend College Preparatory’s International Space School.