NASA High School Internship Program
Who said students need to wait until they graduate from college to gain hands-on experience in science and technology. Your career can begin now. The competition to intern at the NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center is stiff. However, the experience remains invaluable, particularly for those young people considering careers working in science, space travel, or the lucky chance of securing a spot on the international space station or shuttle as an astronaut.
High School Interns at NASA Glenn Research Center
Each year Goddard through its High School Internship Program (HIPS) places rising high school seniors or recent high school graduates with a NASA scientist or engineer as a mentor for an eight-week program from late June to mid-August. The interns work with their mentor on current projects and conduct research designed to assist their mentors and provide them with hands-on experience.
According to NASA, “HIP is a research intensive program that allows interns to explore “real-time” applications of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) disciplines. By the end of the summer, interns will complete eight weeks worth of research on a project related to NASA’s goals and deliver an oral technical presentation where they will share the results of their research with NASA management, personnel and fellow interns.”
The program deadline is March 6th and students must meet the program criteria of being at least 16 years of age, residing-in or having residence for the summer in the Washington, D.C.-Baltimore, Maryland area and be a rising high school senior or recent graduate with previous NASA program participation.
See below for more details:
NASA GODDARD SPACE FLIGHT CENTER High School Internship Program (HIP)
Eligibility:
A Student is eligible to apply who meets the following:
*Is a rising high school senior or a May/June 2009 senior graduate who
*Has completed a previous NASA internship.
*Includes a letter of recommendation from a mentor of the previous NASA Internship. (Special Note: This is in addition to required recommendation letters listed in the online high school application.)
*Will have a local residence within the Baltimore and greater Washington DC metropolitan area and daily transportation for the six-week duration of the internship.
*Is a US citizen
*Is 16 years-of-age by the time of the internship
*Provides evidence of a strong aptitude in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) by describing achievements in these areas in the online application’s student essay(s) and by the listing of achieved grades on the school transcript.
*Has a GPA is a B or higher.
*Will be committed to participate daily for the duration of the program.
*Understands that this program is not residential and that local residence within the Baltimore and greater Washington DC metropolitan area and daily transportation for the 6-week program duration is the personal responsibility of the applicant and his/her parent/guardian.
Clear expectations and mentored research lead to valued results for the students and NASA. Students learn and apply research protocols and processes related to earth and space systems science, computer science, engineering, and technology. Knowledge of computer applications is essential for all placements. Biological laboratory experiences are generally not available.
Stipends: Student interns receive a stipend of $1,800 for the six-week program. The stipend is based upon a daily rate and required daily participation.
Duration: 6 weeks
Location: NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD
Dates: June 29 to August 7
Applications are available at: http://university2.gsfc.nasa.gov/application/