NASA offers students five routes into technical and space careers
NASA’s upcoming career events will introduce US students to technical pathways in robotics, engineering, manufacturing and space exploration
NASA is accepting applications for two US career technical education events until 11:59 p.m. ET tomorrow, Wednesday, August 19. The opportunities include a virtual session from Johnson Space Center and an in-person program at Kennedy Space Center covering robotics, engineering, manufacturing and technical trades.
Both are restricted to US citizens, but the application routes differ. Johnson Space Center accepts registrations from individuals and classrooms. Kennedy Space Center is inviting schools to apply through a competitive selection process, with supporting documents required.
The two programs form part of a wider series of NASA career events scheduled through September. Further sessions will cover internships and early careers, rocket propulsion testing, autonomous systems, advanced manufacturing and spacecraft maintenance.
Johnson session focuses on robotics and space exploration
NASA’s virtual Career Technical Education Day at Johnson Space Center will take place on Friday, August 28, from 1 p.m. to 1:50 p.m. ET, or noon to 12:50 p.m. CT.
The session is aimed at high school students, those in career technical or trade education, and college and university students interested in robotics, rovers, engineering technology, space exploration, manufacturing, fabrication and skilled workforce careers.
A virtual panel of NASA subject matter experts and industry partners will discuss technical careers and their real-world applications. Students will be able to ask questions after the presentations.
Individual participants can register directly. Classroom applications must include the anticipated number of students and educators. NASA advises additional classrooms to register separately because invitation links cannot be shared.
Kennedy Space Center’s in-person event, Prototyping Your Career: Exploring Technical Paths at KSC, is scheduled for Thursday, September 24, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. ET in Merritt Island, Florida.
The program is intended for high school students and will examine work conducted in the center’s Prototype Development Laboratory. NASA engineers, technicians, fabricators and machinists use the facility to address operational problems.
Students will take part in activities and meet professionals working across mechanical and electrical engineering, CNC machining, welding, composite materials fabrication, additive manufacturing, 3D printing, data acquisition and LabVIEW software programming.
Applications must include two separate documents. Schools need a letter from an administrator confirming support for participation and transportation, along with a document identifying the school, participating CTE programs, planned integration into those programs, estimated student and chaperone numbers, and existing use of aerospace content or resources.
Applying does not guarantee attendance. NASA will select participating schools based on available capacity and notify applicants after the deadline.
Selected schools must provide their own bus transportation, attend a virtual information session and submit media releases. Buses must remain at the center throughout the event, while teachers, chaperones and drivers will need a Real ID or passport to gain access.
Internship, propulsion and manufacturing sessions follow
The NASA Pathways and Early Careers Fall Virtual Event will take place on Microsoft Teams on Thursday, August 27, at 3:30 p.m. ET.
Representatives from NASA Pathways, Early Careers and the Office of STEM Engagement will discuss internship programs, resumes, interviews and online application assessments. The event description identifies college sophomores, juniors, seniors planning to attend graduate school, current graduate students and recent graduates as its audience.
Participants must be US citizens. Registration closes on Wednesday, August 26, with the Microsoft Teams link due to be emailed on August 26 and again on the day of the event.
NASA’s Stennis Space Center will hold an in-person CTE Day for local community college students on Wednesday, September 30, from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. CT.
The program will cover autonomous systems development, rocket propulsion testing and technical careers. Students will meet NASA employees and tour rocket engine test stands, industrial shops and other technical workspaces.
NASA says the event will highlight positions that do not require a four-year degree, including careers connected to skilled trades, electrical and electronics technology, information technology and applied STEM.
Stennis applications carry the same two-document requirement as the Kennedy program. Selected schools must arrange transportation, attend a preparatory virtual session and submit media releases. Adult attendees and drivers must present a Real ID or passport.
Registration for Stennis closes at 11:59 p.m. ET on Wednesday, August 26. Schools that are not selected for the in-person program may apply for a one-hour virtual component.
A further virtual CTE Day from Marshall Space Flight Center is scheduled for Wednesday, September 16, from 10:30 a.m. to 11:20 a.m. CT, or 11:30 a.m. to 12:20 p.m. ET.
The session will examine propulsion systems, advanced manufacturing, 3D printing, assembly, testing and spacecraft component maintenance. Individual and classroom registrations are available to US citizens through 11:59 p.m. ET on Tuesday, September 8.
