Cabrito recently unveiled an ambitious radioactive particle chamber presented through Sierra Vista High School’s MESA Club, a student organization focused on STEM learning, collaboration, and innovation. The project demonstrates radioactive particles that naturally exist within the environment and required months of research, testing, and adjustments before reaching its final form.
The project quickly gained attention from staff and students across campus after hearing about the complexity and creativity behind the design. Following the unveiling, Cabrito had the opportunity to showcase the chamber schoolwide and explain both the science and engineering process behind the project.
“I had been wanting to do this project for a while now,” Cabrito said. “A lot of the inspiration came from my dad, who is an electrician. He helped guide me along the way and encouraged my curiosity throughout the process.”
Cabrito said the project was born from his fascination with nuclear physics and the idea that everything around us naturally releases and decays radioactive particles.
“I’ve always been curious about how the world works at a deeper level,” he said. “I remember being really interested in books and physics from a young age, and I used to watch documentaries about space all the time.”
Cabrito explained that he spent months researching materials and experimenting with different components to achieve the results he envisioned.
“There were a lot of moments where I had to go back and adjust things or rethink parts of the build,” he said. “I kept tinkering with it until I was satisfied with the outcome.”
MESA, which stands for Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement, is designed to enrich the educational experience of students interested in STEM by providing academic support, leadership opportunities, and collaborative learning experiences. Cabrito said his experience in MESA helped strengthen his engineering and research skills.
“I really enjoyed being part of MESA because everyone shares ideas,” he said. “It’s a group of students who are thoughtful, creative, and genuinely interested in learning.”
Principal Pratt said the Sierra Vista High community has been inspired by Cabrito’s creativity, dedication, and passion for engineering.
“We are incredibly proud of Nathan,” Pratt said. “Our entire school community has been impressed by his bright ideas and commitment to learning. We can’t wait to see all that he will accomplish in the future.”
This fall, Cabrito will attend the University of California, Berkeley, where he plans to major in astrophysics. He said his interests in mechanical engineering, nuclear physics, and space exploration continue to motivate his academic goals and future aspirations.
A product of Baldwin Park Unified schools, Cabrito attended Tracy Elementary School and Sierra Vista Middle School before enrolling at Sierra Vista High School, where he will soon graduate as part of the Class of 2026.
When he learned of his acceptance to Berkeley, he described the moment as both exciting and humbling.
“I felt proud, but calm,” he said. “My family was much more excited than I was at first.”
As the first person in his immediate family to attend a prestigious university, Cabrito said the achievement carries special meaning for both himself and his family.
Before beginning college in the fall, he plans to enjoy his final weeks as a Don by spending time with friends, celebrating graduation, and taking the summer slowly before returning to the classroom.
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Nathan Cabrito, Sierra Vista High School, Class of 2026
Cabrito's radioactive particle chamber project