NESSP News – Year in Review, Internships, Scholarships, and Other NASA Opportunities 🗓
Year in Review
As we come to the close of 2023, we’d like to thank our partners, educators, participants, community organizations and parents for their continued support and participation in programs hosted by NESSP and our partners.
NESSP was able to reach over 33,000 learners and 1,265 educators during 2023 primarily through in-person activities. The reach maps on the left highlights NESSP’s ability to reach participants nationwide through the ROADS National Student Challenge, Companion Course and Professional Development opportunities. The map on the right showcases NESSP partner activities and abilities to reach rural and tribal communities in Washington and Montana.
More Great Things to Come in 2024!
We currently have over 150 teams registered for the Artemis ROADS II National Student Challenge! There’s still plenty of time to register a team. Details are on our website nwessp.org/challenge/artemis-roads-ii. Registration closes at 5 pm Pacific on January 17, 2024.
Upcoming events & important dates
January 9, 2024 Artemis ROADS II Virtual Information Session, 4:00 – 5:00 pm Pacific
Do you have questions about how to mentor a team for the upcoming Artemis ROADS Challenge? We have answers! Join us for an hour-long Artemis ROADS II Information Session. We will briefly overview the Artemis ROADS II Challenge, resources & support available, highlight Summer 2024 Min-Missions and have time for your questions. https://nwessp.org/artemis-roads-ii-info-session-3/
January 17, 2024 – Lift Off! deadline for Artemis ROADS II National Student Challenge
This is the last day to register as a team for the Artemis ROADS National Student Challenge. The form will close at 5 pm Pacific. Register online at nwessp.org/artemis-roads-ii-registration-form.
Message in a Bottle
Here’s a stellar opportunity to send a piece of your adventurous spirit to space!
Join NASA’s Europa Clipper mission by having your name travel to one of Jupiter’s most intriguing moons, Europa. Your name will be engraved on a microchip aboard NASA’s Europa Clipper spacecraft. This spacecraft will launch next year and travel 1.8 billion miles (2.6 billion kilometers) to study Jupiter’s moon Europa.
Beyond Earth, Europa is considered one of the most promising currently habitable environments in our solar system, and your name could be part of this historic exploration! It’s easy and exciting! Submit your name by December 31, 2023 and be part of this cosmic adventure. Just follow this link to add your name: europa.nasa.gov/message-in-a-bottle/sign-on.
Scholarships at Central Washington University for students interested in studying Physics and Engineering
Take advantage of the opportunity to minimize your education costs and showcase your potential at Central Washington University. CWU’s Physics department offers scholarships for students interested in pursuing a BA or BS in Physics. Applications close March 1, 2024.
The Paul & Jill Heydron Physics Scholarship provides financial support for students pursuing a BA or BS in Physics with demonstrated financial need. Preference is given for students pursuing the Physics & Engineering, BS Dual Degree Program.
Are you currently a college Junior or Senior majoring in Physics at CWU? The Robert R. Vance Scholarship is available for Junior or Senior undergraduates majoring in Physics with at least a 3.0 GPA. If funds are available, juniors who receive the scholarship may be eligible for an additional scholarship for their senior year if they maintain satisfactory academic progress.
Additional details, the online application and other scholarship opportunities at CWU can be found at www.cwu.edu/admissions-aid/financial-aid-scholarships/scholarships.
At Central Washington University, you’ll find a community designed to support your individual journey to success. Create your future at CWU!
Paid internships through the NASA Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM)
Did you know a common misconception is that NASA only offers engineering internships? NASA has opportunities for students who are not majoring in engineering! NASA needs employees with a variety of knowledge and skills. At NASA, engineers, mathematicians, scientists, accountants, writers, IT specialists, project managers, program analysts, and many other professionals work together to break barriers to achieve the seemingly impossible. Non-engineering interns may support a variety of business and program management work, including procurement, budgeting, accounting, information technology, and security.
There are over 190 OSTEM internships available!
Applicants for the OSTEM internship must be U.S. Citizens and meet a minimum 3.0 GPA requirement. Paid internships are offered across NASA facilities in fall, spring, and summer sessions. One application is viewed agency-wide. OSTEM interns may receive a stipend based on academic level and session length. Prior experience is not required. Applications close February 2, 2024. Opportunities are available at the high school, undergraduate, graduate, and educator levels. Explore the NASA STEM Opportunities at stemgateway.nasa.gov/public/s/explore-opportunities
STEM Enhancement in Earth Science (SEES) Summer High School Intern Program
NASA and The University of Texas at Austin Center for Space Research Summer Intern Program is a nationally competitive STEM program for high school students. The program provides selected students with exposure to earth and space research. Interns will learn how to interpret NASA satellite data while working with scientists and engineers in their chosen area of work.
Summer internships are offered to motivated high school students who have an interest in pursuing Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics careers. The interns will work beside NASA subject matter experts analyzing and visualizing data. This content knowledge, coupled with hands-on experiences, allows the intern to gain experience in authentic NASA research through field investigation and data analysis.
Interns are selected on the basis of their academic records, written application that includes answers to essay questions, introduction video, recommendation form, and interest in STEM. Applications must be submitted by February 24, 2024. Program details and application information can be found at www.csr.utexas.edu/sees-internship.