The Astronaut Photography team and I (second from right) pose outside the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory in Houston, Texas (Photo courtesy of NASA SEES). 
My team and I (first from right) are suited up to fly in a wind tunnel that simulates free fall, a state where gravity is the only force acting on an object. This is similar to what astronauts experience in microgravity during spaceflight (Photo courtesy of NASA SEES). 
My team and I enjoy a welcome banquet dinner with our mentors (Photo by Pareena Gupta).
From exploring the multifaceted dimensions of Earth Science at NASA, the business of fashion at Vogue, and the emotional intensity of neonatal care in a hospital, summer internships offer students behind-the-scenes exposure to diverse careers. They offer meaningful experiential learning, revealing the rewards and challenges of real-world careers while helping shape future career decisions.
As a NASA SEES intern this summer, I experienced 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 competitive summer intern program, funded by NASA, selects high school students who will increase their knowledge of STEM through Earth and space education.
As interns we work with scientists and engineers to conduct authentic research using data from NASA’s Earth-observing satellites and contribute to projects such as designing Mars habitats, Lunar exploration, and analysis of images from the International Space Station (ISS).
In July, interns from all across the country met in Austin, Texas, where we spent two weeks at UT/CSR conducting experiments and field investigations, touring facilities—including a visit to NASA’s Johnson Space Center—and researching under the mentorship of NASA-funded scientists and engineers. Prior to the on-site internship, we worked remotely with our project mentor, completed an Earth and Space Science course, and a Python coding course.
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.
“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,” said Laura Tomlin, Senior Outreach Coordinator, Education and Outreach at UT/CSR.
As part of the project, Astronaut Photography: Observing Earth from Space, I focused on using astronaut photography and NASA datasets to study changes over time on Earth’s surface, atmosphere, and environment. Astronaut photography refers to images taken by astronauts aboard spacecraft, such as the ISS, using handheld cameras. On the ISS, astronauts take images through a seven-window observation module, known as the Cupola.
My team concentrated on observing anthropogenic, or human-caused, change on Earth. We studied the effects of wildfire damage, light pollution, and urbanization, among other changes.
Prior to joining the Astronaut Photography team, I hadn’t fully realized the unique advantages astronaut photography offers over satellite imagery. While Earth-orbiting satellites usually capture data from a fixed, nadir perspective (looking straight down), astronauts aboard the ISS can photograph Earth from multiple angles and lenses. This flexibility allows for more targeted observation of Earth’s surface and atmospheric conditions. Additionally, astronaut photography enables rapid response to unfolding events, making it a valuable tool for monitoring natural hazards such as hurricanes, floods, wildfires, and volcanic eruptions as they occur.
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.
Station closed? BART could abandon Tri-Valley stops under doomsday budget cutsFebruary 9, 2026 8:36 am
Smash hit: Pleasanton's first rage room, splatter paint destination now openFebruary 8, 2026 1:17 pm