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| [PHOTO: JD Hancock/CC BY 2.0] |
Washington: NASA has inducted 86 top-performing interns into the 2013
NASA Student Ambassadors Virtual Community, a vital component of the agency's
ongoing effort to engage undergraduate and graduate students in science,
engineering, mathematics and technology (STEM) research and interactive
opportunities. This fifth group of student ambassadors, Cohort V, includes
interns from 32 states and 70 different universities.
"I want to
congratulate the Cohort V members on their selection to become NASA Student
Ambassadors," said Associate Administrator for Education Leland Melvin.
"We are proud of their commitment to excellence and their willingness to
use creativity and innovation to help NASA inspire the next generation of
scientists, engineers, and explorers."
NASA managers and
mentors nominated the recipients from the hundreds of current interns and
fellows across the agency. NASA's goal is to provide internships that are among
the most exciting research and education opportunities available to college
students. This online initiative further recognizes exceptional students. The
NASA Student Ambassadors Virtual Community aims to elevate the experiences,
visibility, and contribution of these students; leverage their presence and
input for recruitment; and provide increased involvement with the agency's
exploration and STEM education missions.
"The NASA
Student Ambassadors Virtual Community will serve as an outreach vehicle to the
nation's students as well as a way to engage exceptional NASA interns, fellows
and scholars," said Mabel Jones Matthews, director of the Infrastructure
Division in NASA's Office of Education. "This innovative activity is a
leading effort to help NASA attract, engage, educate and employ the dynamic
next generation."
Members of this
virtual community will interact with NASA, share information, make professional
connections, collaborate with peers, represent NASA in a variety of venues, and
help inspire and engage future interns. Through the community's Web site,
participants will have access to tools needed to serve as a NASA Student
Ambassador, as well as the latest NASA news, blogs, and announcements, member
profiles, forums, polls and NASA contact information, and links to cutting-edge
research and career resources.