Alameda High School senior Christine Choi has been selected for the prestigious STEM Enhancement in Earth Science (SEES) summer internship at the University of Texas at Austin’s Center for Space Research. Choi will be working with scientists and engineers at the university to conduct research based on data received from NASA’s earth observing satellites.
“My team and I are utilizing NASA’s ICESAT-2 satellite data to measure environmental changes. Specifically, our project is a case study of NYC and Atlanta, Georgia, to measure to what extent how effective trees are in carbon capture in urbanized cities,” Choi told the Alameda Post. “Hopefully, this will aid in creating effective methods for city urban planners in making their cities more sustainable.”
She will also be working on designing Mars habitats, lunar exploration, and analysis of images from the International Space Station. This nationally competitive program, funded by NASA, selects students to increase their knowledge of science, technology, engineering, and math through earth and space education.
SEES is a collaborative effort of the University of Texas at Austin’s Center for Space Research and NASA. Students apply for the SEES program and are selected competitively. The internships are organized around an aerospace or space science theme drawn from NASA’s diverse engineering and scientific research programs. The program combines the strengths of collaborators to enrich teaching and learning of STEM.
More than 2,000 applications were received for the coveted 100 on-site internship positions. Students work remotely with their project scientist prior to the on-site internship, complete an earth and space science course, and complete a Python coding course.
Students selected for the SEES internship met at the University on July 8 in Austin, Texas, to conduct experiments, tour facilities, network with other students, and conduct research while being mentored by NASA subject matter experts. During their two weeks at the University, students will conduct hands-on activities, field investigations, collaborate with NASA-funded scientists and engineers, and work on various NASA missions.
Earth is a complex, dynamic system we do not yet fully understand. The Earth system, like the human body, comprises diverse components that interact in complex ways. We strive to understand the Earth’s atmosphere, lithosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere, and biosphere as a single connected system. Our planet is changing on all spatial and temporal scales.
The purpose of NASA’s Earth science program is to develop a scientific understanding of Earth’s system and its response to natural or human-induced changes, and to improve prediction of climate, weather, and natural hazards.
The SEES internship proves that the excitement students feel about space science is a critical step in enriching science, math, engineering, and technology. The internship will provide students the rare opportunity to spend two weeks working with professional scientists and engineers at the cutting edge of space exploration.
