NASA CTSGC Sponsored Internship Opportunities

Overview

NASA CTSGC, is in collaboration with Connecticut-based industries and organizations, is identifying full-time summer internship opportunities for student applicants; these are being posted on the website as they arrive.  This will be a rolling deadline for applications, which are now being accepted.  Eligible students should indicate specific projects or companies of interest.  Students are required to work full-time for a minimum of 10 weeks at their internship site; virtual internships will be considered.  Applicants must be a full-time student at an affiliated academic institution during the spring of 2024 and have a minimum GPA of 3.0 (or a strong academic record) and be a US citizen.  Interns receive a minimum compensation of $7,000. 

Interested companies who wish to offer an internship, please contact the NASA CT Space Grant office at [email protected]You may also view our Internship Flyer for more information.

Technical, Industrial, and Educational Internships

Technical Internship:  Priority given to community college students enrolled in an Associate’s degree or Certificate program at an affiliated academic institution are eligible to apply. If space is available internships may be offered to 4-year institution or graduate students.

Industrial Internship:  Undergraduate/Graduate students enrolled at an affiliated academic institution are eligible to apply.

Educational Internship:  Undergraduate/Graduate students enrolled at an affiliated academic institution are eligible to apply.

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Application Procedures

To apply for a Technical, Industrial, or Educational Internship please submit the online application here:  Internship Application

The following information will also be required when you apply.

    1. Applicant Contact/Demographic Information (this information is utilized for NASA reporting only)
    2. Proposal Information
      1. Narrative – 3 page maximum
        1. Why are you interested in an internship?
        2. Why should you be selected for this opportunity?
        3. Describe how your interest/experience will be enhanced by this internship.
        4. How will this internship enhance or contribute to your long-term academic and career goals?
        5. Please list all technical courses you have taken that may be helpful to hiring managers in considering you qualifications.
        6. Please explain your interest in your top 3 project choices.  How does each project fit with your current interests and/or proposed career goals?
        7. What has been the extent of your contact with CT industry, particularly the company you are interested in working with? (Please indicate the name of any individuals with whom you have been working/speaking.)
      2. One Letter of Recommendation (internal or external) – One letter must be from an academic advisor, faculty member, or past project advisor.  All recommendation letters need to be signed and on institutional letterhead.  Faculty who wish to submit confidential letters of recommendation may use the online system.
      3. Resume/Curriculum Vitae – One-page maximum.  For team proposals please submit a resume/CV for each team member.
      4. Student Transcript – Official is preferred; however, unofficial is acceptable if availability at the time of submission is a problem.

For more information on Technical, Industrial, or Educational Internship program, please see the Student Request for Proposals Booklet.

Applications and internship placements will be accepted and determined on a rolling basis.

Internship opportunities will be listed below as they become available:

Summer 2024 Internship Project Proposals 

Project Title:  Reverse Engineering- ME

Location:  Aerotech Engineering Consultants, 6 Industrial Rd, Windsor Locks, CT

Start/End Dates: May 13 to Aug. 16, 2024. Must be available to work a minimum of 25 hours per week.

Brief Description: Reverse engineering of aerospace parts involves obtaining design information and geometry of an existing physical part. The work will involve using hand tools, optical comparison and structured light scanning equipment to generate part geometry in a CAD format. The CAD file would be modified to incorporate desired design characteristics to be used in FEA or other analysis. The focus of this project is to obtain FAA certification for part use in general or commercial aviation or rotocraft.

Desired Job Requirements: Full-time student during Spring 2024 term enrolled in an academic affiliate college/university in an engineering technology program with a minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA. U.S. citizenship. Proficient in SolidWorks CAD Modeling. Excellent computer, organizational, and communication skills. Interest in a companion field such as metallurgy, aerospace or manufacturing engineering.

Number of Students:  1

     

    ON HOLD

    Project Title:  Thermal Fluid Systems Engineering (Architechture Design) Intern

    Location:  Collins Aerospace, Windsor Locks, CT

    Start/End Dates: Summer 2023

    Brief Description:  Gain experience in performing analysis at all levels of the total system product including concept, design, modeling, installation, operation, and maintenance. Become versed in the process of decomposition of customer specifications and system level requirements into sub-system and piece part requirements.
    Learn how to model system architecture for analyzing architecture impacts on performance, safety, reliability, controllability, installation, and cost.

    Desired Job Requirements:  Requires a High School Diploma or equivalent and student must be pursuing a Bachelor’s or advanced degree in an applicable discipline.
    Completion of Intro to Thermal dynamics course.
    U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are authorized to access the information under this program/contract.

    Number of Students:  1

       

      ON HOLD

      Project Title:  Structural Engineering Intern

      Location:  Collins Aerospace, Windsor Locks, CT

      Start/End Dates: Summer 2023

      Brief Description:Provide technical and analytical support for ECS/EACS products from preliminary design phase through detailed design, testing & validation, production, and operational services.  Perform structural analysis of conventional & additively manufactured complex aerospace components including static, dynamic, thermal (steady state & transient), fatigue life, fracture mechanics (residual life) predictions and damage tolerance analyses.  Components analyzed include fuel controls, actuators, heat exchangers, pumps, compressors, electronics, and valves.  Post-process and document structural analysis results including HCF, LCF and damage tolerance.  Provide engineering support to component/product testing and analyze test data.

      Desired Job Requirements:Requires a High School Diploma or equivalent and student must be pursuing a Bachelor’s or advanced degree in an applicable discipline.
      U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are authorized to access the information under this program/contract.

      Number of Students:  1

         

        Project Title:  STEM Special Projects Expansion (K-12)

        Location:  CIC Office Location 20 Church Street. 22nd Floor. Hartford, CT (with some remote or off-site work)

        Start/End Dates: May 30 – August 30; 32 hours/week

        Brief Description: The Connecticut Invention Convention is seeking an intern to support a critical expansion initiative designed around creating an asynchronous learning experience that will reach thousands of CT students. This intern will help the CIC will assist the CIC in its deployment of several new STEM summer learning initiatives, including its innovation-focused summer camps. In particular, this intern will support the CIC in in its ongoing efforts to improve the accessibility of its programs, and better ensure that historically underrepresented populations are provided critical access to innovation programming.  This internship will provide hands-on experiences supporting student
        education, the opportunity to meet and coordinate directly with business and tech executives from around the state, and an ability to help guide the direction of programs being supported.

        Desired Job Requirements:  Full-time students enrolled in an academic affiliate college/university. Pursuing a degree in a STEM field, Social Services, or in Education, with an interest in working with and supporting K-12 learners.

        • Assistance with the CIC State Finals Event – Including event prep, judging, score analysis and follow up communications
        • Assistance in partnership events with key stakeholders including planning, event prep, and follow up.
        • Development and organization of inventory list for various summer
          learning experiences.
        • Lesson design, prep and instruction for the New Britain Summer Learning experience program and/or other similar programs.
        • Review of statewide institutions as prospective partners for the CIC.
        • Support of broader educational initiatives, including curriculum projects and on-site student instruction and support.

        Number of Students:  2

           

          Project Title:  STEM Special Projects Expansion (K-12)

          Location:  CIC Office Location 20 Church Street. 22nd Floor. Hartford, CT (The position is 80% remote with 20% travel around the state of Connecticut)

          Start/End Dates: June 1st– August 30; 15 hours/week

          Brief Description: The Connecticut Invention Convention is seeking an intern to support a critical expansion initiative designed around creating an asynchronous learning experience that will reach thousands of CT students. This intern will help the CIC will assist the CIC in its deployment of several new STEM summer learning initiatives, including its innovation-focused summer camps. In particular, this intern will support the CIC in in its ongoing efforts to improve the accessibility of its programs, and better ensure that historically underrepresented populations are provided critical access to innovation programming.  This internship will provide hands-on experiences supporting student
          education, the opportunity to meet and coordinate directly with business and tech executives from around the state, and an ability to help guide the direction of programs being supported.

          Desired Job Requirements:  Full-time students enrolled in an academic affiliate college/university. Pursuing a degree in a STEM field, Social Services, or in Education, with an interest in working with and supporting K-12 learners.

          • Assist in developing new, rigorous lessons of invention ed and STEM resources for young inventors in K-12 education (This should require prior knowledge of educational programing and curriculum)
          • Review current materials for virtual invention program and help assist in updating materials.
          • Participate in virtual invention programing for young inventors k-12th grade.
          • Facilitate ½ day, summer workshops for independent inventors around Connecticut. Locations, TBD
          • Assist in building partnerships with current young inventors and CIC alumni.

          Number of Students:  2

             

            Project Title:  STEM Education and Programs, Summer Science Squad

            Location:  CT Science Center, 250 Columbus Boulevard, Hartford, CT 06103

            Start/End Dates: 10 weeks, June-August 2024

            Brief Description: Summer interns will collaborate and work with Connecticut Science Center staff to prepare and create materials for educational programming for families and youth. The programs will be both in-person and virtual on STEM topics specifically related to building awareness around STEM Careers and igniting passion for STEM learning in fun, hands-on ways. Interns will be part of a dynamic team developing and delivering engaging programs in the galleries of the Science Center on a variety of science topics to a public audience, including families, adults, and children. Additionally, interns will have the chance to work with external partners, helping create digital content, interviewing STEM professionals, and planning for events.

            Desired Job Requirements:  Full-time students during Spring 2024 term enrolled in an academic affiliate college/university with a minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA. U.S. Citizenship. Pursuing a degree in a STEM field or in Education, and an interest in working with children. Occasional evening or weekend work.

            Number of Students:  2

               

              Project Title:  Engineering Internship

              Location:  Oxford Performance Materials, South Windsor, CT

              Start/End Dates: Summer 2024

              Brief Description: Using its proprietary OXPEKK® technology, OPM is leading the way in additive manufacturing in industries from energy to medical implants. OPM is looking for an intern to join their engineering and operations groups. The intern may participate in everything from R&D, manufacturing, quality and compliance, and product logistics.

              Desired Job Requirements: Students enrolled in engineering or engineering technology fields would be the best fit for this position. Applicants must be detail oriented, strong communicators, and ready to be an integral part of a growing company.

              Full-time student during Spring 2024 term enrolled in an academic affiliate college/university in an engineering, engineering technology &/or business program. U.S. citizenship is required.

              Number of Students:  1

                 

                Project Title:  Novel Drug Discovery for Acute Lung Injury (ALI) and Lung Fibrosis

                Location:  Synovel Laboratory LLC, 375 Morgan Lane, Unit 204, West Haven

                Start/End Dates:  10 weeks, June-August 2024

                Brief Description:  Ferroptosis is a form of cell death caused by iron-dependent lipid peroxidation. Mechanistically, oxygen and iron, which are essential drivers of metabolism, cause the production of reactive species (ROS) and subsequent production of lipid peroxides. If these lipid peroxides cannot be neutralized efficiently and subsequently accumulate, they disrupt cellular membrane integrity and result in cell death. Ferroptosis plays important roles in a wide array of human diseases including cancer, neurodegenerative diseases (including Huntington’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease), kidney diseases, and ischemic organ injury. It is also implicated in lung diseases as lipid peroxidation and effects of ferroptotic inhibitors were detected. In this project, we will be using De Novo design and molecular modeling to design and synthesize novel ferroptosis inhibitor with overall good activity and drug-like properties. Compounds with suitable properties will be tested in mice animal models for ALI and bleomycin lung fibrosis model.

                Desired Job Requirements:  Desired: Some experience in organic synthesis.
                Required: Full-time students during Spring 2024 term enrolled in an academic affiliate college/university with a minimum cumulative GPA 3.0. U.S. Citizenship

                Number of Students:  1

                Project Title:  Discovery of Small-Molecule Degraders to Reduce Aβ Amyloids in Alzheimer’s Disease (AD)

                Location:  Synovel Laboratory LLC, 375 Morgan Lane, Unit 204, West Haven

                Start/End Dates:  10 weeks, June-August 2024

                Brief Description:  The amyloid cascade of amyloid β (Aβ) peptide production and deposition from amyloid-β protein precursor (APP) plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However, disease-modifying therapies to disrupt this amyloid cascade remain an unmet challenge. We have discovered a novel class of small-molecule degraders that can induce APP degradation and reduce Aβ peptide production and could have positive effect on AD. In this project, we will use De Novo design to generate new compound degraders with good activities and drug-like properties. Successful compounds will be tested in human neurons and brain organoids from AD patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). This small-molecule degraders could provide a new anti-AD therapeutics through targeted protein degradation (TPD) of APP and disruption of the amyloid cascade in AD brain.

                Desired Job Requirements: Desired: Some experience in organic synthesis.
                Required: Full-time students during Spring 2024 term enrolled in an academic affiliate college/university with a minimum cumulative GPA 3.0. U.S. Citizenship.

                Number of Students:  1

                Project Title:  Remote Telescope & Asteroid Occultation Observation Project

                Location:  Westport Astronomical Society, 182 Bayberry Lane, Westport, CT 06880

                Start/End Dates:  10 weeks, Mid-May to Mid-August 2024

                Brief Description: Intern(s) will help install two remotely accessible telescopes on the WAS site in Westport. Interns will use these and other telescopes for astronomical observations, some or all of which will include asteroid occultations as part of the larger IOTA occultation observations.

                Desired Job Requirements: Desired: Some experience in organic synthesis.
                Required: Full-time students during Spring 2024 term enrolled in an academic affiliate college/university with a minimum cumulative GPA 3.0. U.S. Citizenship. Occasional evening or weekend work.

                Number of Students:  1-2

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                NASA Center Internships

                Students may apply for NASA Center Internships online. Opportunties and deadlines are available on the NASA Internship webpage. Students applying to these internships will be asked to create a Gateway account in order to apply.  These internships are directly through NASA, and are not affiliated with or managed by the CT Space Grant Consortium.