Three Austin Community College District (ACC) students will participate in the NASA Community College Aerospace Scholars (NCAS) Virtual Experience. The week-long program runs from Wednesday, August 3, through Tuesday, August 9. 

ACC students Connor J., Richard C., and Amber T. will be three of hundreds of students to participate. Students were selected based on the successful completion of a five-week online NCAS course. NCAS gives community college science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) students an authentic NASA experience and encourages them to finish an associate degree or transfer to a four-year university to pursue a NASA-related field. 

Students form teams and design a mission to explore the Moon or Mars. Each student participates in a design team, fulfills a team role, manages a budget, and develops communication and outreach strategies. Students also attend events hosted by NASA subject matter experts, receive information on how to apply for NASA internships, and virtually tour NASA’s unique facilities during the event.

“NCAS inspires community college students to advance in STEM fields, and it also opens doors for future careers at NASA. NCAS alumni can often move on to NASA internships and possibly ultimately enter the NASA workforce. It is rewarding to see the progression of a student from NCAS participant to NASA colleague,” says Torry Johnson, Minority University Research and Education Project (MUREP) Manager. 

The Minority University Research and Education Program, or MUREP, funds NASA Community College Aerospace Scholars. MUREP commits to engaging underrepresented and underserved students in STEM with authentic learning experiences to sustain a diverse workforce. 

Team design winners will be announced on Thursday, August 18.

For more information, visit:go.nasa.gov/ncas and for MUREP, visit: www.nasa.gov/education/murep 

To learn more about ACC’s Computer Science and IT degrees and programs, visit austincc.edu/csit.