Deadlines Approaching for Three NASA Opportunities for Undergraduate and Graduate Students

PISCES 2009 Student Design Competition

The Pacific International Space Center for Explorations Systems, also known as PISCES, announces its third annual Student Design Competition and invites teams from colleges and universities to participate.

The PISCES design program provides an opportunity to engage students in a rich and meaningful educational experience. Participating in the program allows students to work on design problems that are of current interest and that are important technical and programmatic issues central to the settlement of space. Students now in university design programs will be the professionals who will implement the decisions one day soon.

A total of up to three awards will be offered this year. Each award will consist of travel funds to bring two students and a faculty advisor to the PISCES annual conference to be held in Hilo, Hawaii, in November 2009. At this conference, the university studies will be presented to the PISCES team, and the student teams will be able to observe and participate in further planning of the PISCES program.

Any U.S. university may field one or more teams that are interested in the topics of lunar surface facilities, technology development, surface operations and commercial activities. It is expected that most participants will consist of design teams of three or more graduate and/or undergraduate students, with a faculty advisor. A student team leader and faculty advisor must be designated. Multidisciplinary teams are encouraged. It is not necessary for the team to be enrolled in a for-credit course to participate; however, they must have the support of a qualified faculty advisor. Teams are encouraged to document their work on a team Web site that promotes the exchange of information and collaboration with other participating teams, particularly Japanese teams.

A brief indication of interest is requested from university teams by Jan. 31, 2009.

For more information about this competition, visit http://pisces.hilo.hawaii.edu/competitions.php.

Please e-mail any questions about this opportunity to Dr. Michael B. Duke at mikeduke@earthlink.net. He may be reached by telephone at 512-535-1671.

Harriett G. Jenkins Predoctoral Fellowship Accepting Applications

Applications are now being accepted for the Harriett G. Jenkins Predoctoral Fellowship. Up to 20 Fellows will be selected to receive support for graduate education in NASA-related STEM disciplines. The fellowship is open to full-time women, minority and disabled graduate students studying science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Students are selected for fellowships that include financial support and opportunity for hands-on research experience at a NASA center. Fellowship tenure is three years for candidates seeking either a master’s or doctoral degree in NASA-related fields.

The mission of the fellowship is to increase the number of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities participating in mathematics, science, engineering and technology disciplines.

Applications for this opportunity are due Feb. 1, 2009. For more information and to apply online, visit http://www.nasa.gov/offices/education/programs/descriptions/Jenkins_Predoctoral_Fellowship_Project.html.

Please e-mail any questions about this opportunity to Brenda Collins at Brenda.J.Collins@nasa.gov .

Applications Available for 2009 Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships

Caltech’s Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships, or SURF, project introduces undergraduate students to research under the guidance of seasoned mentors at Caltech or the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Students experience the process of research as a creative intellectual activity and gain a more realistic view of the opportunities and demands of a professional research career.

SURF is modeled on the grant-seeking process. Students collaborate with potential mentors to define and develop a project, and to write research proposals. Caltech faculty or JPL staff review the proposals and recommend awards. Students work over a 10-week period in the summer, mid-June to late August. At the conclusion of the project, they submit a technical paper and give a SURF Seminar Day oral presentation.

All application materials must be received no later than Feb. 22, 2009. For more information, visit http://www.surf.caltech.edu/.

Please e-mail any questions about this opportunity to the Caltech Student-Faculty Programs office at sfp@caltech.edu.