Goddard Earth Sciences & Technology Center Staff

Summer Institute on Atmospheric, Biospheric, and Hydrospheric Sciences

June 8 - August 14, 2009

The Summer Institute on Atmospheric, Biospheric, and Hydrospheric Sciences is sponsored by the Earth Sciences Division of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland. The program is designed to introduce undergraduate students majoring in all areas of the physical sciences to research opportunities in the atmospheric, biospheric, hydrospheric, and solar and space plasma sciences, both theoretical and experimental. No previous experience in these sciences is needed. The program is directed primarily at undergraduates who are in their Junior year at the time of application. However, all undergraduates, who are currently enrolled in a U.S. college or university, are eligible, provided they are also U.S. Citizens or holders of a Green Card indicating their intention of becoming a citizen.

THE PROGRAM

The program will occur during the period June 8 - August 14, 2009. The first part of the program is a 1-week lecture series on selected topics in the atmospheric, biospheric, hydrospheric, and solar and space plasma sciences. The lecture series will cover suggested areas of research in these sciences and will be given primarily by Goddard scientists. The lecture series will be followed by 9 weeks of research by the students, with a Goddard scientist as a mentor. The students will be at the Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland, during this 10-week period.

GRANTS

Participants in the program receive a grant of $4,000, housing, and the expenses of economy travel. The program must be completed to receive the total amount of the grant. To complete the program, both an oral report and a written report of your individual research effort will be required.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

There is no formal application form. Submit an application in the form of a letter containing the following:
1. full name;
2. address and phone number at school;
3. e-mail address;
4. permanent address and phone number at which you can always be reached;
5. current grade level;
6. current grade point average;
7. major field;
8. Social Security Number;
9. one-page typewritten statement of your professional goals and interests;
10. description of computer programming and laboratory experience, if any;
11. citizenship;
12. the names of two faculty members who know your work well and have been asked to provide letters of reference; and
13. transcript of college courses and grades.

The transcripts and letters of reference must be mailed directly by the university and faculty members to the address below.

If you wish, instead of mailing the information requested in items 1 through 12 of the application, you and your references may e-mail it to the Coordinator at the e-mail address shown below, or fax it to the Coordinator at the fax phone number shown below.

Mail Application Letters, Transcripts, and Letters of Recommendation to:
Dr. Per Gloersen
Coordinator
Summer Institute 2009
Code 614.1
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
Greenbelt, MD 20771
(Applications and recommendations may be e-mailed; transcripts must be mailed.)
E-Mail: per.gloersen@nasa.gov
Fax number: 301-614-5644

DEADLINE

The deadline for receipt of all materials relating to your application is February 13, 2009. Awards will be announced after March 9, 2009. Selected applicants will be notified by e-mail and telephone. It is important to show in your application a telephone number through which you can always be reached.

Computer and programming experience are highly desired, but not required. Most of the research topics now require this knowledge. However, if needed, the computer and programming skills can be learned during the summer.

All applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, age, national or ethnic origin or sex.

MORE INFORMATION:

More information can be found at http://neptune.gsfc.nasa.gov/summerinstitute/

CONTACT

Valerie Casasanto
Program Coordinator
UMBC GEST/JCET Centers
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
Mail Code 610.6
Greenbelt, MD 20771
E-mail: vcasa@umbc.edu
Telephone: 301-286-6605

Last Updated September 9, 2008 9:45 PM