National Space Club: Scholars Program


Dr. Robert H. Goddard Scholarship
National Space Club Scholars Program
	Mentors Page
	Scholars Page

The National Space Club Scholars Program

The National Space Club Scholars Program is a summer intern program, for up to 30 high school students, with space scientists and engineers, sponsored by NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD (up to 25) and NASA Wallops Flight Facility, Wallops Island, VA (up to 5) in cooperation with the National Space Club. The program is conducted for six weeks each summer, from late June until early August. The 2006 program took place from June 26 through August 4. Applications were required to be submitted no later than February 22, 2006. Information concerning the summer 2007 program, which will run from June 25 through August 3, will be posted here in the fall of 2006, with applications due in February, 2007. Availability of the updated information and application forms will be highlighted in the "What's New" section of the home page. Eligibility details, and the NASA/GSFC link for downloading the application package, are given below.

The purpose of this program is to provide students with an opportunity to experience how research and development organizations operate on a day-to-day basis in direct support of NASA's mission to inspire the next generation of explorers. Participants will be assigned to work with a technical professional in a field related to the student's stated interests and expertise. The available areas of interest include earth and space systems science, computer science and engineering. Virtually all placements include computer applications, but biological laboratory experiences are not available. After completing the internship, students interested in pursuing aerospace-related fields are able to make more informed decisions regarding their university-level studies and career focus. Comments from some of the mentors, reflecting their appreciation of the program, can be found on the Mentors Page.

Pictures from prior year programs, comments from some of the scholars, and the scholars' ratings of the program can be found on the Scholars Page.

Diane and Steve The 2006 Scholars Program saw a change in the leadership provided by the National Space Club. From 1990 through 2005, the program was under the dedicated direction and coordination of Steve Korpon, shown on the right with Diane Cockrell, the new Scholars Program Coordinator. Through Steve's untiring efforts the program grew and became a truly productive experience for the fortunate summer scholars under his leadership. His ability to match scholars and GSFC mentors led to some remarkable work by the scholars, and some real assistance to the mentors. Steve has retired from his teaching position, and he and his wife Celeste are moving to North Carolina. In his typically thorough manner, Steve has made certain that the National Space Club Scholars Program will continue to be coordinated by another highly gifted teacher, with Diane continuing to provide the same high level of coordination and support to the Scholars Program established by Steve. The Club, the Scholars, and GSFC are fortunate to have her, and wish Celeste and Steve great happiness in retirement and their new home.

The National Space Club provides a stipend of $1,000 to help defray transportation and meal expenses during this six-week summer program. Potential NSC Scholars:

must have completed sophomore year in high school in good standing by the end of the current academic year;
must be 16 years of age by the starting date of the program;
must be a U.S. citizen;
must live and maintain permanent residence within commuting distance of the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD, or the NASA Wallops Flight Facility, Wallops Island, VA.

Complete details, and the Student Application Form, can be downloaded from the Goddard Space Flight Center Education Programs web site:

http://education.gsfc.nasa.gov/pages/placement.html.

This information is updated for each calendar year in February, and will be highlighed in "What's New" on the home page when applications are opened for that year.

The information here, and on the NASA/GSFC web site, should address most questions. However, any other questions may be addressed to Diane Cockrell, Program Coordinator, by e-mail at nscsp@yahoo.com.

info@spaceclub.org