NASA Kids Stick Together!

By Caitlyn Gibbons, NASA INSPIRE 12th Grade

January 9th the news came out that INSPIRE was not able to sponsor any SSE this summer, all the feeds exploded.

The OLC is not only a place where students can grow and broaden their knowledge in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) but it’s a safe community where we can network and develop lasting connections with our peers. On Monday night when everyone heard the news about this upcoming summer, there was an immediate response among the friends I’ve made from design teams and through last summer’s residential internship in a rush to support each other. We had texts flying across the cell towers, long chain e-mails filling up our inboxes, and a Facebook group started all with the sole intent on informing each other of new opportunities available this summer.

We used all different forms of media to communicate and share our ideas. Let’s continue to help each other out by posting the fruits of our research and efforts on the discussion board (the link will be provided below).

Although many are disappointed to see that there are no SSE offered through INSPIRE this year, there are still limitless STEM Experiences offered all across the United States we just need to look a little further than our noses to find them! This year we have the chance to acquire more professional skills and responsibility because we are now in charge of conducting our own job searches. INSPIRE’s unfortunate budget cuts have actually been a blessing in disguise because they are helping to better prepare us for the real world. Let’s take full advantage of all the opportunities INSPIRE offers us.

Below are a few links for internships:
1. NASA Internships through the SOLAR; March 16, 2012.
• http://intern.nasa.gov/
2. GSFC Internship System; February 1-29
• https://education.gsfc.nasa-telophase.com
3. Motivating Undergraduates in Science and Technology; March 1, 2012
• http://scholarships.hispanicfund.org/applications/subsectionID.1,pageID.139/default.asp
4. NASA History Program Office; Fall semester: June 1
• http://history.nasa.gov/interncall.htm
5. Site for other currant NASA Opportunities
• http://www.nasa.gov/audience/forstudents/current-opps-index.html