Mahalia J. Saavedra from the Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science, and Technology (GSMST) has been selected to attend the Student Enhancement in Earth and Space Science (SEES) summer internship at The University of Texas at Austin’s Center for Space Research (UT/CSR). This program, funded by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), selects students to participate in authentic research and develop experiments for the ZQube, a small CubeSat satellite, and the Zero-G aircraft in microgravity.

     “I see the NASA SEES program as a pivotal milestone on my academic and professional journey,” says Mahalia. “As someone who aspires to be an experimental physicist, this opportunity allows me to engage in my first real-world project tailored for an active aerospace mission. Through this internship, I'll take a significant step toward actualizing my dream of advancing the frontiers of experimental acoustic or quantum physics.”

      SEES is a collaboration between UT/CSR and NASA that aims to enhance Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education through hands-on earth and space science experiences. More than 500 10th-grade students applied for 50 on-site internship positions. Selected students will work remotely with project scientists, complete an Earth and Space Science course, learn Python coding, and conduct microgravity research before the on-site internship.

     During the on-site internship, students will engage in hands-on activities, field investigations, and collaborations with NASA-funded scientists and engineers at UT/CSR. They will tour facilities, network with peers, and work on NASA missions, gaining invaluable experience in space science.

     The SEES internship highlights the importance of engaging students in STEM fields and provides a unique opportunity to work alongside professionals at the forefront of space exploration.