Grace Stumpf, 14, has always been infatuated with the sky. Some of her favorite childhood memories were making paper airplanes with her dad and studying which designs flew best. Through those activities, she first learned about the four forces of flight (lift, thrust, drag, and weight) and gained a basic understanding of how wings and the wind work together. So when she found out that her science experiment proposal was selected in the iLEAD CA DreamUp to Space Design Challenge and that she would witness it blast into outer space on a SpaceX mission to the International Space Station (ISS), you could say she was over the moon.
“I was so excited I couldn’t believe it. There was this huge, amazing opportunity and blessing in front of me. I was definitely a little intimidated at first,” Stumpf said. She received the email while in math class and had to explain to her teacher why she was jumping up and down. “I am so thankful for this opportunity, it has completely changed my life!”
Homeschooled since third grade, Stumpf is enrolled at iLEAD Exploration, which is a tuition-free, personalized learning program in southern California with many opportunities for hands-on learning.
Through the DreamUp to Space Design Challenge, students learn about the ISS, microgravity, and space exploration, and then use their skills to design, develop, and propose experiments. More than 100 students were involved in the initial proposal stage.
Stumpf and her partner, Carter Sand, proposed an experiment to see how microgravity would affect the germination of the Yucca glauca plant, which supports the types of studies that NASA conducts related to exploring resources for extended space travel and colonization.
In their research, they discovered that the plant is native to Central America and that its seeds can withstand dry conditions and temperatures of up to 250 degrees Fahrenheit. Soap can be produced by grinding its roots with a small amount of water. It’s also edible and contains vitamins C and B, calcium, and iron, and is useful for inflammation, arthritis, and migraines. Its leaves can be woven to make baskets, so every part of the plant is usable.
Flying Lessons
Two years ago, while having lunch at Fullerton Airport near Stumpf’s home in Garden Grove, her father, Chris Stumpf, presented her with a birthday card and a gift certificate for a flying lesson.“I couldn’t believe it. I asked him when could I go, and he said, ‘Right now!’” Stumpf said.
After the lesson, the instructor encouraged Stumpf’s father to support his daughter’s newly invigorated flying goals and said that she already knew more than most of his adult students. Unfortunately, lessons had to be canceled due to COVID-19, but that gave Stumpf time to study groundwork and the opportunity to discover soaring. She was determined.
“I think some part of me has always felt the need to leave the ground behind,” she said.
Her father said that he has always tried his best to teach Stumpf and her sister, Emma Stumpf, 11, to learn how to learn.
“If they learn how to grow, adapt, and be flexible, they will always have a job and never get stuck in one position. Kids need to be exposed to things they don’t even think they are interested in. You never know what will spark an interest,” he said.
Mentorship Matters
Encouraged by Kathleen Fredette, the director of STEAM Initiatives with iLEAD Schools, Stumpf entered an essay for a soaring scholarship awarded by the Laze Memorial Soaring Foundation in Bakersfield, California—and won.“Mrs. Fredette is so inspiring, I love her energy and enthusiasm. She started out as my mentor and now I consider her a friend.” Stumpf said. “She has done so much for me and my family. She really is an extraordinary person.”
It’s still a bit nerve wracking for Grace Stumpf’s mother, Nalani Stumpf, to see her soar over the Tehachapi Mountains.
“Grace was born premature at 2 pounds, 12 ounces, so we have always been protective of her,” Nalani Stumpf said. The doctors told her and her husband that they should abort the fetus. They were told that if the baby were to survive, she would experience a miserable short life of blindness and very serious complications.
“It was God’s grace and the power of prayer that brought about the miracle of a bright, healthy child,” the mother said, as she cleared her throat.
Courage to Try New Things
Stumpf doesn’t want to be considered rare because she is a female pilot. As of 2022, according to Pilot Institute, female pilots make up only 9.2 percent of all FAA-certified pilots.“I want to start changing the dynamic. My wildly inspiring goal is to become a flight instructor and inspire as many young women as I can to reach for the sky,” Stumpf said.
She feels she is successful because she has great mentors, total support from her family, and is no longer afraid to try new things. She has met two astronauts and numerous test pilots at the flight school. Her highlight was meeting Albion Bowers, who was chief scientist at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center. He has been a constant source of encouragement for her. Pilots from Virgin, Lockheed, and Northrop also encourage Stumpf when they take glider lessons at the airport.
“I still have a long way to go,“ Stumpf said, ”but when I look back and see how much I’ve grown over the past few years, my 12-year-old self would be very proud of where I am today.”
