Soldotna student awarded national science and technology opportunity

Aspiring robotics engineer Mika Thompson-Brassfield believes the power of robotics could do a lot of good for a lot of people — and for her wheelchair-bound dog.

“To incorporate [robots] into everyday life, to help everyday people would be really cool,” she said. “I’m not saying robots are going to take over the world, but they could really help with veterans being able to take their lives back, by giving them robotic arms and legs. By creating robots we are putting fewer people in the line of danger.”

A 2018 graduate of Connections Homeschool, Thompson-Brassfield will be taking the first steps toward a career in robotics engineering by attending the Congress of Future Science and Technology Leaders.

The Congress is a program run by the national Academy of Future Scientists and Technologists. The Academy’s goal is to promote, inspire and provide youth with resources and information about careers in STEM fields.

During the event, which will take place June 29 through July 1 in Massachusettes, Thompson-Brassfield will hear from Nobel Laureates and National Medal of Science recipients, get advice from universities around the world regarding STEM fields and learn about recent scientific research.

Thompson-Brassfield’s twin sister, Cierra, nominated her for the award. Cierra received the award last year and said that she figured her sister could benefit from the experience.

“It would be really cool for her,” she said. “I got a lot of helpful information out of it. It helped seeing other kids interested in doing what I was interested in doing.”

Both Cierra and Mika are pursuing higher education in the sciences. The twins will be taking their prerequisite classes at Kenai Peninsula College, with plans to take classes through University of Alaska Anchorage in the spring. Mika received a $12,000 academic scholarship from the University of Alaska system.

While thousands of students from around the country are awarded access to the Congress every year, only two students from Alaska will be attending next week. Mika said she is looking forward to meeting other students from across the country who have an interest in science and technology, maybe even robotics.

“I really want to meet other kids my age that are interested in the same things,” she said.

She also hopes to get direction from top professionals in the field of robotics.

“If I could get someone to steer me in the right direction, I don’t know what I want to do with robotics, but I’m really interested in it,” she said.

More in News

Gov. Mike Dunleavy compares Alaska to Mississippi data on poverty, per-pupil education spending, and the 2024 National Assessment of Education Progress 4th grade reading scores during a press conference on Jan. 31, 2025. Alaska is highlighted in yellow, while Mississippi is in red. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
Dunleavy vetoes education funding to $500 BSA increase

Per-student funding was increased by $700 in an education bill passed by the Alaska Legislature in May.

The entrance to the Kenai Peninsula Job Center is seen here in Kenai, Alaska on April 15, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion file)
Minimum wage increases to $13 per hour on July 1

Since 2014, Alaska’s minimum wage has increased from $7.75 to $11.91 through the Alaska Wage and Hour Act.

Leads for the Sterling Safety Corridor Improvements Project field questions and showcase their “preferred design” during an open house meeting at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, June 10, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Preferred design alternative for Sterling Highway safety corridor introduced at town hall

The project is intended to redesign and construct improvements to the highway to reduce the number of fatal and serious collisions.

Alaska State Troopers badge. File photo
Recovered remains confirmed to be missing Texas boaters; fourth set of remains found

Remains were recovered from the vessel sank that in Kachemak Bay last August.

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Superintendent Clayton Holland speaks during a meeting of the KPBSD Board of Education in Soldotna, Alaska, on Monday, Jan. 13, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
KPBSD issues notice of non-retention to pool managers, theater techs and library aides

Those notices were issued due to the ongoing uncertainty in state education funding.

National Guard members put on hazmat suits before entering the simulation area on Monday, June 9, 2025. (Natalie Buttner / Juneau Empire)
National Guard begins exercise in Juneau simulating foreign terrorist attacks

Operation ORCA brings 100 personnel to Juneau, disrupts traffic around Capitol.

Woman of Wisdom Roberta Highland holds her award from South Peninsula Haven House in this photo taken July 25, 2020, in Homer, Alaska. (Photo courtesy South Peninsula Haven House)
Borough assembly commends Roberta Highland

The longtime Homer resident passed away in April 24 at age 75.

Anchor Point Library director Deanna Thomas works the front counter on Friday, June 6, 2025, in Anchor Point, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
Anchor Point Library awarded Rasmuson grant

Grant funding will relieve issues with the building’s septic system.

Most Read