Student Achievements
Graduate Student Success: Scott Strayer
October 07, 2025
Master of Science in Engineering student at Grand Valley State University, Scott Strayer, led his team in the Micro-g NExT Challenge to construct a Lunar Flagpole for NASA. The Micro-g NExT Challenge gives college students the opportunity to design prototypes for an abundance of purposes for NASA’s exploration of deep space.
Strayer’s group, known as the Astro Anchors, met through the American Society of Mechanical Engineers Club at Grand Valley. They were determined to create a flagpole that fit all the criteria NASA was looking for. In the 1960s, when the flag was first inserted into the moon, the mechanics of the flag did not allow it to stay standing. NASA wanted a flag that was less than four feet long for storage, at least eight feet when standing up, and was built to stay standing.
The Astro Anchors were the only team to have a flagpole that met all the requirements, and they also had the only pole that stayed up underwater. Strayer described how this team bonding opportunity taught him how to work with people with all different skill levels. This experience helped him realize that he would rather go towards the mentoring side of engineering for his career rather than the technical after he graduates.
Strayer first began his time at Grand Valley five years ago for his undergraduate degree. He studied math with a minor in engineering science. He says that the math and engineering professors were a major reason why he decided to pursue his master’s degree at GV. He explained how the professors at GV want you to grow and that pushed him to be a combined degree student.
In addition to Strayer’s many academic accomplishments, he is also a graduate assistant for the Padnos College of Engineering. He mentors middle school and high school students participating in the FIRST Robotics competitions. His graduate assistanthip has shown him that he is greatly interested in becoming a professor of engineering. Congratulations to Scott Strayer and the Astro Anchors!