Natalia Floriani tackled several activities that simulated being in space. Photos: Space Camp/Supplied.
A Year 9 student from Griffith’s Verity Christian College has landed a scholarship worth $17,000 to study at the University of Alabama while she was on a space exploration tour in the United States.
Natalia Floriani, 14, travelled to Space Camp in Huntsville, Alabama, and Los Angeles for an educational trip organised by the One Giant Leap Australia Foundation in November.
“We learned everything there is to know about outer space,” she said. ”We did a lot of activities to simulate the experience of being without gravity. I got to jump in an elevated harness and we went on a ride where you’re spun in a circle against the wall. I felt as if my head was going to pop.
“We also spoke to an astronaut and I visited a place called the Griffith Observatory, where I held a meteorite that had hit this part of the world. I bought a lot of merchandise that said ‘Griffith’ on it, just for the irony of it.”
The biggest surprise, however, came at the end of the trip when the University of Alabama – which partners with the Space Camp – offered all the tour participants a scholarship for their tertiary studies.
“It was for 11,000 US dollars, which is about $17,000. I’m now planning to go there after I finish Year 12,” Natalia said.
Natalia experienced some of what it’s like to be an astronaut.
While this will only cover part of the costs of tertiary education in the US, mum Tamara said the family would now look at other funding sources over the next three years to make Natalia’s dream come true.
“Because One Giant Leap were bringing in foreign kids interested in space exploration, the university saw that as an opportunity to encourage people to come to America to study. It’s a smart concept. We are so grateful for it and I’m so proud of Natalia,” Tamara said.
After the ecstasy, there was some drama for Natalia, who almost got caught up in the US Government shutdown caused by Congress not passing a funding bill needed to ensure many public sector employees could be paid.
“We almost didn’t get back to Australia,” Natalia said. ”Lots of flights were being cancelled because aviation staff were on strike. At one point, we didn’t know if we’d get to Los Angeles for our return flight home, but we made it just in time.”
Graduating from Space Camp.
Nevertheless, the 14-year-old said she had a wonderful time on a US trip that also included a visit to Disneyland and an American high school, as well as several presentations.
“Some of the presentations were mesmerising, where we found out that microwaves come from light,” she said. ”We also saw one called ‘reel or real’, when we told about the difference between science fiction and science fact.”
Natalia used to struggle at school, but now has a new lease on life and has done well academically in 2025. She’s focused on her overseas goal and grateful to all those who put her in a position to realise it.
“I would like to thank my mother, One Giant Leap Australia, Space Camp in Alabama, the university, everyone who donated to me to fund my trip, and God for making sure I was able to get there and back safely,” she said.
