For science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) community college students, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) offers a chance to experience STEM careers first-hand.
Under their National Community College Aerospace Scholars (NCAS) program, students take a free five-week online course consisting of discussions with NASA employees, quizzes, as well as the completion of our assignments.
The program aims to encourage students to finish their two-year degrees or transfer to a four-year institution and pursue a NASA-related career or field, according to their website.
“It’s a great opportunity to help strengthen their understanding and helps enable them to make powerful connections with the NASA mission in the work that NASA does and the people at NASA,” said Dr. Winsome Brooks, activity coordinator for NASA Johnson Space Center. “It’s a good stepping stone for anyone that wants to pursue a STEM related career.”
To apply to the program, eligible students must be over the age of 18, hold a high school graduate or equivalent, be enrolled in a community college and remain available to fully complete the five-week course. Additionally, students are required to write an essay about their goal for the program and provide a recommendation letter from a professor.
For those selected students who demonstrate academic success during the online course, they are given the opportunity to visit a NASA center for four days.
Last year, there were 1,300 students who participated in the online class. For the onsite portion, 892 students from 227 community colleges within 39 states were selected, according to Alex Gladney-Lemon, education coordinator for NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement.
