New York — Meet Justin Colon, a student at John Jay College of Criminal Justice in Manhattan whose alter ego carries, “The Justonian,” a TikToker user whose videos have gone viral on topics from fossils to physics.
“Everyone has an interest in science, so I feel that everyone should at least have the option to learn and enjoy it,” he says. “Because science is fun! And I feel like there aren’t enough people who remember that.”
After months of success on social media, a “proud science student” recently received an email for life: An invitation from NASA for a date front row seat at the Artemis 1 rocket launch.
The mission is touted as an important first step toward NASA’s ultimate goal of returning astronauts, including the first female and first color Americans, to the Moon.
“Seeing the actual launch, which I feel was once in a lifetime…it’s very historic,” Colon said. “To say that I’m there and be able to photograph it with permission from NASA to be there, it’s baffling to me.”
Back on Earth, Cologne professor of physics Daniel Yafferboom says the sky is the limit for this young scientist.
“His missile, so to speak, was fired before I knew it,” Yafferboom said.
Kowloon, a Native New Yorker, is one of John Jay’s seniors.
He studies forensic sciences and has a knack for teaching subjects that seem intimidating to most people.
He is using TikTok as a way to reach out to those who would not gravitate towards this field of study.
“Whether it is just physics assignment or reading picture books or writing picture books, he is very happy internally with what he is studying,” Professor Yafferboom said. “Then that’s what comes in, and that’s why he’s so rushing to share with everyone. That’s what I think you can’t teach or fake.”
And education is exactly what Colon wants to do, using his talent to create an atmosphere of inclusivity that will inspire the next generation of great scientists.
“If I can give them that little spark of emotion that can spark some new love for them, that sounds perfect,” he said. “This is your dream job.”
.
[ad_2]
