Every year JPL brings in students to work directly with engineers and scientists on exciting projects that look downward at Earth and outward toward our Solar System and beyond. Students participate in space exploration and contribute directly to NASA’s missions. JPL’s Education Office strives to increase underrepresented and underserved minorities in these research areas; therefore, various minority student programs have been developed to assist students in their pursuit of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) careers. These programs recruit and train participants, especially women, underrepresented minorities, and persons with disabilities, for careers in STEM and establish a pool of extremely talented individuals for the Nation and JPL’s future workforce. In return, students receive tremendous career benefits by participating in JPL’s internships.

Columbus handles the administration of the JPL internship programs by providing the administration for hiring, paying of stipends, travel, and housing for the student participants. For more information about Student Intern Initiatives at JPL, please visit http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/education/highereducation/.