NASA Summer High School Apprenticeship Program

[dlavery]

The NASA Summer High School Apprenticeship Research Program (SHARP) is a research based mentorship program designed to attract and increase students' participation and success rates in mathematics and science related courses, as well as to encourage career paths that help build a pool of science and engineering professionals.

Each year, approximately 400 students will be selected to participate in NASA SHARP for a minimum of eight weeks during the summer. NASA SHARP Commuter Component is conducted at thirteen participating NASA Field Installations, while the NASA SHARP Residential Component is conducted at universities throughout the United States. Some of NASA's top science professionals, while conducting cutting-edge research as well as working on state-of-the-art equipment, mentor qualified students.

The application process for the summer of 2004 is now open. Applications are being accepted through February 9, 2004. You can find out more about the program on the NASA SHARP web site.

Additional programs are available to college students and recent college graduates. Information on those programs can be found on the NASA Research and Development Programs for Students web site.

-dave

[Sachiel7]

Thanks for the info Dave! I've actually been looking forward to SHARP for a while now...
Just printing out a few of the applications....
I'm glad I already wrote my essay too... trimming it to 300 words was tricky!

[Yan Wang]

I was accepted to the 2002 American Society of Materials Student Camp in Cleveland, OH (another one in Seattle), where I lived for 5 years. That was a great experience. During the weeklong program, we also stopped by NASA Glenn Research Center. This was nothing new to me, but finding out about SHARP from a high school student there who was participating full-time was very interesting. It was another summer research oppurtunity. Unfortunately, I found out I don't qualify for the program because I am not a US Citizen and I do not fit under the exception. Ah well, guess I gotta finish up my RSI essay instead.

[Michael Hill]

I will definately apply next year. Does it matter where you are from? BC I'm in Indiana.

[mtrawls]

Originally Posted by Michael Hill

I will definately apply next year. Does it matter where you are from? BC I'm in Indiana.

Check out thier site (referenced in Mr. Lavery's post above). Specifically,

In addition, those who wish to participate in the Commuter Component of NASA SHARP must permanently reside and attend a school within a fifty-mile radius of a participating NASA Field Installation. Those who wish to participate in the Residential Component must be willing to live on campus at the university selected by MTSI for the entire duration of the Program. Transportation to and from the university is covered by MTSI.

I heard they have changed things around since when I was in it, in this regard (or at least locally here at LaRC), so I can't comment more than: check their site and see what they say.

Incidentally, I'm teaching QBASIC and Physics this summer to 4-8 graders, and today was the first session's last day, where all the parents came. Unbeknownst to me, one of the girls' fathers was my mentor from SHARP! I was quite suprised, and glad to see him. It's definately worth getting into, -- and like I said in this post, put in as much as you want to get out (which should be a whole darn lot).

[Michael Hill]

thank you