Photo provided by Charlotte Zehnder.

Today, Charlotte Zehnder begins her 10-week NASA Center internship at Goddard Space Flight Center. Arizona has a long history with NASA research happening at our universities across the state, and we often fund undergraduate students and graduate fellows to work with our local researchers and industry affiliates. But when funding allows, AZ Space Grant supports students at NASA Center internships so that they can receive hands-on experience at a NASA facility, with NASA personnel, and working on NASA research. It doesn’t get better than that!

In her own words, here is what Charlotte will be working on this summer and what she’s most looking forward to: “My name is Charlotte. I’m a Physics PhD Student at the University of Arizona interested in Atomic, Molecular, and Optical (AMO) Physics. This summer I will be interning with the new Quantum Engineering and Sensing Technology (QuEST) lab at Goddard Space Flight Center, helping build their new cold atom interferometry lab. With this laser cooling infrastructure, NASA scientists will conduct precision gravity measurements and more effectively interface with the broader AMO community. I am most excited to gain the experimental skills of building a magneto-optical trap and meet the other interns!”

NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) paid internships allow high school and college-level students to contribute to the agency’s mission to advance science, technology, aeronautics, and space exploration. 

OSTEM internships offer students an opportunity to gain practical work experience while working side-by-side with mentors who are research scientists, engineers, and individuals from many other professions. Internships may be full time or part time; and, they may be on a NASA center or facility, or even working from your home or dorm.

Join our NASA team and gain valuable on-the-job experience, build your resume, and strengthen your career readiness. We offer three sessions annually, so visit our website often for opportunities.

2025 Internship Application Deadlines:
Spring 2025: Aug. 23, 2024
Summer 2025 – Early Decision: Oct. 25, 2024; Final, Feb. 28, 2025
Fall 2025: May 16, 2025

To learn more, visit: https://www.nasa.gov/learning-resources/internship-programs/