SG8

NASA Internships and Fellowships (NIF)

The purpose of our NIF programs is to prepare a diverse new generation of scientists and engineers for work at NASA and related organizations. Internships and fellowships provide unique opportunities to work on cutting edge research and motivate students to commit to STEM careers.  NIF is a specific category of activities designated by NASA and includes NASA internships, private industry internships, research positions, and graduate fellowships. 

NASA Internships

Private Industry Internships  

Graduate Fellowships

Cube Sat Internships

Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP)

Washington NASA Space Grant Consortium’s Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP) offers students the opportunity to work in a science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) research position that will complement their studies. Student researchers work under the guidance of a faculty member, postdoctoral scholar, or research scientist.  Projects are available in most fields of physical and natural sciences, engineering and earth sciences. Some projects may involve off-campus locations or fieldwork.

Multidisciplinary Studentships

Our studentships are essentially a structure scholarship award program. After being selected through a competitive process, first year or transfer students are welcomed into the Space Grant community, receive scholarship funds, and attend 10-20 hours of professional development activities each quarter.  In addition to workforce development, these initial awards provide an important means for enabling retention of students in STEM and helping create a feeling of small community within the larger campus. Scholars are intended to meet with the Student Services Manager to access resources including tutoring, mentorship, assistance navigating the often-complicated university systems.  The Student Services Manager also hosts community building events in collaboration with SPACE.

Scholars Pursuing Academic & Celestial Exploration (SPACE)

SPACE is the Registered Student Organization (RSO) managed by Space Grant scholars.  The purpose of this organization is to promote and advance space science, exploration, and related fields and is also dedicated to increasing the number of women and minorities pursuing a STEM education through mentorship and community building events.

2021 – 2022 SPACE Officers:

Koto Durkee, khdurkee@uw.edu (Pres.)

Florence Atienza, fmna@uw.edu (VP)

Treyson Gleich, treysong@uw.edu (Social chair)

Izabela Carpenter, izabec@uw.edu (Research & Networking Chair)

Maia Willebrand, mwille@uw.edu (Outreach Chair)

2022-2023 SPACE Officers:

Maitri Dedhia, maitrid@uw.edu (Pres.)

Ryleigh Weston, maitrid@uw.edu (Research & Networking Chair)

Smitri Sankaran, smriti03@uw.edu (Social chair)

VP Kailey Johnson

Outreach Chair: Karina Aragon-Madrigal

Supersonic Student Research Program

WSGC has a long standing rocketry program ranging from support for undergraduate clubs, assisting students in getting different certifications, arranging launches, and developing supersonic capabilities. We have developed a series of systems that have reached supersonic Mach numbers as high as 2.2 under the guidance of the late Dr. Robert Winglee. We are seeking increased student engagement and further development in this area.

High Altitude Balloon Research Program

NASA has a long history of high altitude ballooning projects that support space and Earth science research and investigations. Ballooning can be a space and cost-efficient method to test and implement space related technologies. WSGC is currently working to implement a particulate measuring system to study air quality as impacted by wildfires. As a balloon ascends, samples can be obtained from various altitudes and then evaluated after landing. Additionally, we are planning for an increase in ballooning activities building up to the 2023 annular eclipse and 2024 total eclipse.

CubeSat Development

Small satellites have become an increasingly important tool. CubeSats in particular have experienced increasing growth and interest with more than 200 CubeSat flights since 2003 and over 100 CubeSats being launched this past year16. Students at the University of Washington (UW), have developed a 3U CubeSat boasting two innovative systems: an electric propulsion system capable of high specific thrust needed for quick trajectory changing, and a communication system capable of significantly higher data throughput.

HuskySat

HuskySat, advised by Prof. Kristi Morgansen along with our industry and university partners, provides undergraduate and graduate students a multidisciplinary opportunity to work on cutting edge propulsion systems for atmospheric and in-space applications.  The team currently has a work space in AERB.

K-12 STEM Pathway Support