Greater than rocket science: NASA, Earth and the ability of chance

From exploring the multifaceted dimensions of Earth Science at NASA, the enterprise of style at Vogue, and the emotional depth of neonatal care in a hospital, summer time internships supply college students behind-the-scenes publicity to numerous careers. They supply significant experiential studying, revealing the rewards and challenges of real-world careers whereas serving to form future profession choices.

As a NASA SEES intern this summer time, I skilled it firsthand.

STEM Enhancement in Earth science (SEES), is a collaborative effort of NASA and The University of Texas at Austin’s Center for Space Research (UT/CSR). This nationally aggressive summer time intern program, funded by NASA, selects highschool college students who will enhance their data of STEM by way of Earth and area training.

As interns we work with scientists and engineers to conduct genuine analysis utilizing information from NASA’s Earth-observing satellites and contribute to tasks akin to designing Mars habitats, Lunar exploration, and evaluation of pictures from the International Space Station (ISS).

In July, interns from all throughout the nation met in Austin, Texas, the place we spent two weeks at UT/CSR conducting experiments and subject investigations, touring amenities—together with a go to to NASA’s Johnson Space Center—and researching underneath the mentorship of NASA-funded scientists and engineers. Prior to the on-site internship, we labored remotely with our venture mentor, accomplished an Earth and Space Science course, and a Python coding course. 

The goal of NASA’s Earth science program is to develop a scientific understanding of Earth’s system and its response to pure or human-induced adjustments, and to enhance prediction of local weather, climate, and pure hazards.

“SEES is preparing future scientists to work with real data so they can understand, prepare for, and respond to the challenges of our dynamic Earth,” stated Laura Tomlin, Senior Outreach Coordinator, Education and Outreach at UT/CSR.

As a part of the venture, Astronaut Photography: Observing Earth from Space, I targeted on utilizing astronaut pictures and NASA datasets to review adjustments over time on Earth’s floor, ambiance, and surroundings. Astronaut pictures refers to photographs taken by astronauts aboard spacecraft, such because the ISS, utilizing handheld cameras. On the ISS, astronauts take pictures by way of a seven-window statement module, often called the Cupola. 

My staff focused on observing anthropogenic, or human-caused, change on Earth. We studied the results of wildfire injury, mild air pollution, and urbanization, amongst different adjustments. 

Prior to becoming a member of the Astronaut Photography staff, I hadn’t totally realized the distinctive benefits astronaut pictures provides over satellite tv for pc imagery. While Earth-orbiting satellites normally seize information from a hard and fast, nadir perspective (wanting straight down), astronauts aboard the ISS can {photograph} Earth from a number of angles and lenses. This flexibility permits for extra focused statement of Earth’s floor and atmospheric circumstances. Additionally, astronaut pictures permits speedy response to unfolding occasions, making it a precious device for monitoring pure hazards akin to hurricanes, floods, wildfires, and volcanic eruptions as they happen.

Becoming an astronaut: inspiration from the Neutral Buoyancy Lab

The part of the internship that reshaped how I think about my future was visiting NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. Our first stop was the Neutral Buoyancy Lab (NBL), home to one of the largest indoor swimming pools in the world. At 40 feet deep, it contains a full-scale mockup of the ISS, where astronauts train for spacewalks and practice tasks in a simulated weightless environment.

While we were there, we witnessed a live astronaut training session. A female astronaut, suited up in the iconic white space suit, was being carefully lowered into the water by a crane. The suits are so heavy that astronauts can’t enter the pool alone—they must be supported and guided in.

Watching her train underwater made something shift in me. For the first time, I felt like becoming an astronaut wasn’t just a distant dream. It was something I could work toward. Space felt closer, more real.

That moment made me realize the path to space doesn’t start in a rocket. It starts on Earth—right here in Houston. Becoming an astronaut is incredibly competitive; NASA’s acceptance rate hovers between 0.08 and 1 percent. To put that in perspective, it’s easier to get into Harvard, which has an acceptance rate of about 3.5 percent. Even after selection, training is intense. Astronaut candidates spend two years preparing, including underwater sessions at the NBL four days a week, six hours a day.

But seeing that astronaut train, right in front of me, made it feel possible. I could picture myself in her place.

What’s NASA got to do with Earth science? 

As the internship progressed, I developed a deeper understanding of NASA’s mission and scope. It became clear that the agency’s work goes far beyond rocket launches and space exploration, with critical efforts to study and protect our home planet. After all, Earth is a planet too!

“Before the internship, I didn’t realize how deeply involved NASA is in Earth science. With more than 20 Earth-observing satellites currently in orbit, NASA tracks everything from groundwater and ocean color to air quality and vegetation. I used to think NASA was mainly focused on space exploration, but I’ve come to understand how much of its work is centered around the Earth’s systems,” said Cael Manning, my teammate on the Astronaut Photography project.

Like Cael, I originally thought of NASA as focused mostly on aerospace, tech, and engineering. However, I soon understood that space-based technologies play a vital role in studying Earth—helping monitor climate change, manage disasters, and address environmental issues.

“From day one, SEES interns learn that NASA’s work is just as much about Earth as it is about space. Through research projects in areas like urban heat islands, land surface change, air quality, and natural disaster response, students discover how NASA uses remote sensing and satellite data to serve people here on Earth. Interacting with NASA scientists and participating in data-driven investigations shifts their perception of NASA from ‘rockets and astronauts’ to a broader mission of innovation, discovery, and service,” said Celena Miller, Project Manager, Education and Outreach at UT/CSR.

“By observing Earth from space, NASA gathers data to improve weather forecasting, monitor environmental changes, and assess the impacts of human activities. This knowledge is crucial for informing policy decisions, developing mitigation strategies, and ensuring a sustainable future for our planet,” added Margaret Baguio, Program Manager, Education and Outreach at UT/CSR. 

A launchpad for the future

The SEES program showed me that NASA’s scientific portfolio goes far beyond astronauts and rocket launches. I came away with a deeper understanding of the broad range of opportunities available at NASA and within STEM more broadly. I also developed a greater appreciation for the extent to which NASA’s work is dedicated to studying Earth’s systems—its surface, atmosphere, and climate. From the vantage point of space, NASA studies and addresses challenges that affect people, resources, livelihoods, and communities here on Earth.

“SEES is more than a summer internship, it’s a launchpad. We aim to show students that there is a place for them in STEM, regardless of background or where they start. By working alongside NASA scientists and tackling real-world problems, they begin to see themselves not just as students, but as emerging scientists, problem-solvers, and changemakers. Our goal is to spark confidence, ignite curiosity, and lay the foundation for a lifelong journey in discovery and innovation,” Miller said.

Vogue Summer School: a step into the fashion industry

While I was exploring the intersection of Earth and space science in the NASA SEES program, my peers were pursuing impactful experiences in their areas of interest. 

Briahna Ma, a rising junior at Amador Valley High School, spent her summer in the fast-paced world of fashion through Vogue Summer School. The two-week program, held in New York City, offers three focus areas: Fashion Media, Fashion Business, and Fashion Styling.

Through hands-on projects, exclusive talks, and behind-the-scenes access to designer studios and flagship stores, Ma gained a deeper understanding of how the fashion industry operates. She had the opportunity to learn directly from Vogue and Condé Nast journalists, as well as experts in fashion, business, media, and strategy.

“We went to the MET Museum and saw the Superfine Tailoring Black Style exhibit, which was also this year’s MET Gala theme,” Ma said. “Another site visit was to Condé Nast at the World Trade Center, where Vogue’s headquarters is located and where Anna Wintour works. It was so inspiring to see people creating editorials and collaborating on actual projects.”

As part of the Fashion Business branch, Ma explored the essential components of running a successful fashion business, from marketing strategies to entrepreneurship. She applied insights gained from industry professionals to develop and pitch a unique business concept as her final project.

“This experience opened up my vision of the different pathways possible after college. Seeing so many people talk about their career path really inspired me to see things from a new perspective,” Ma said. 

Inside the hospital: a student’s summer in medicine

Ishanvi Khare, also a rising junior at Amador Valley High School, spent a month volunteering at a hospital in northern India this summer. 

Khare gained firsthand experience in the day-to-day work of doctors and nurses in a clinical setting. She shadowed multiple doctors, assisting with patient care by taking vitals and observing medical appointments. She also administered oral vaccinations, reviewed lab reports, supported pharmacy operations, and worked alongside a dietitian to better understand nutritional planning.

“I got to visit the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), where premature or extremely ill newborns are kept. There were babies the size of my hand with tubes running through them to keep them alive. They were too small for oxygen masks so there were plastic boxes over their heads with air flowing through,” Khare said. 

“It was honestly a little heartbreaking to see them. I think the experience went to show me the ‘darker side’ of medicine, seeing how anything could become an emergency in an instant. But it also went to strengthen my resolve to do something about it one day,” Khare added. 

Witnessing both the harsh realities of critical illness and the joyful smiles of patients in moments of comfort gave Khare valuable insight into the day-to-day experiences of a medical career and reinforced her dream of becoming a doctor.

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