NASA: High School Internship
Have you ever dreamed of being an astronaut, working on a rocket, and exploring space? Understandably, as a high school student, your resources are limited. However, don’t sulk… you have good news! The time to fulfill your astronomy dream doesn’t have to be after college…it can be now! NASA is offering high school internships to high schoolers all over the country. As part of this program, students will get to explore hands-on-research and get a feeling of what it is like to work in science within the occupational industry!
Why NASA High School Internship?
Science
If you are passionate about science and math, then you will enjoy interning at NASA. You will get hands-on-experience in the fields of many types of science and math, such as physics, biology, chemistry, and calculus! As high schoolers, resources can be limited. But being part of the NASA high school internship will provide you with valuable outlets to explore your passions!
The Team
During the NASA high school internship, you will be surrounded by individuals just as passionate as you are about science and math. Your fellow interns will work with you to create amazing projects. Interns will have opportunities to share knowledge and learn from each other. Furthermore, NASA officials will be mentors to all the interns. Interns can ask questions and gain through knowledge in the field they are working in.
Life Skills
Undeniably, like any journey, the NASA high school internship won’t be a simple walk in the park. However, from the experiences you gain, you will develop important skills, such as team-work, collaboration, critical thinking, and perseverance. The lessons you learn from the NASA high school internship can be carried with you in every sphere of life.
What Will I Do There?
Delve into SCIENCE…and more
During the NASA high school internship, you will learn many concepts in science. To start, there will be traditional lectures and workshops where you will be taught about different space advancements and discoveries. Other than this, you will take part in collaborative project work. At NASA, there is all the room in the world for creativity! So don;t be afraid to think of a project idea out of this world! Last but not least, you will be able to grow as a presenter when you showcase yourself and your group showcase your project to peers and mentors!
Explore New Places
The NASA high school internships involve students visiting different NASA centers, meeting professional scientists, and truly getting a first-hand glance at the world’s leading space center. During this time, you can ask questions to seasoned NASA members and get a glimpse of how life works in the professional world.
Based on your internship, there are four possible NASA centers you will be taken to:
Greenbelt, Maryland
Wallops Flight Facility in Wallops Island,
Virginia Goddard Institute For Space Studies, New York City
Independent Verification and Validation Facility in Fairmont, West Virginia
How to Apply?
Does this program sound interesting to you? Well, the application process for the NASA high school internship is pretty simple! Of course, depending on the internship you choose, you would cater your resume accordingly. But other than that, the steps can be followed as so:
Ensure you meet the NASA high school internship requirements:
US citizen
At least 3.0 GPA on 4.0 scale
At least 16 years old and in sophomore year of high school or higher
Required submissions:
List of relevant experience
High school transcript
Essay about why you want to join NASA
Note that some internship positions may require a follow-up interview.
Keep track of the application deadlines on the internship website (linked at the bottom).
It Really Is a Wonderful Experience
NASA high school intern alumni have expressed their love for the program. Here are some reviews of these interns, as shared on the NASA website.
Jessica Watkins
Jessica Watkins, a former JPL intern turned NASA astronaut, made her first trip to the International Space Station as part of the agency's SpaceX Crew 4 mission.
Christian Taubenberger
Intern to published scientist in under a year, Christian Taubenberger interned with the Cryospheric Sciences Laboratory through the summer of 2020 and then spring of 2021 on the same project.
Michelle Vo
At NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, UCLA student Michelle Vo applied her talents to VR and AR experiences that help scientists explore a totally different world.
Brittany Nez
As a NASA Glenn Research Center intern, Brittany Nez was part of a tight-knit community of Native American engineers. At the University of Colorado Boulder, she works in the assembly, integration, and testing phase of the CANVAS satellite mission.
Tie It Together
The NASA High School Internship is a journey that lets you explore your passions for science and technology. The knowledge you learn and the connections you form make lifelong impacts. You get the opportunity to collaborate with peers and mentors invested into your field of passion. Every question you ask, every question that gets answered, fuels you with curiosity and the drive to learn more. What better place is there to dive into your passions than NASA headquarters? If you feel like this program calls to you, pick up the phone and explore more at the NASA internship website: https://www.nasa.gov/learning-resources/internship-programs/ !
About Inspirit AI
AI Scholars Live Online is a 10 session (25-hour) program that exposes high school students to fundamental AI concepts and guides them to build a socially impactful project. Taught by our team of graduate students from Stanford, MIT, and more, students receive a personalized learning experience in small groups with a student-teacher ratio of 5:1.
