NASA SUMMER HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAM

NASA--The NASA Summer High School Apprenticeship Research Program (NSHARP) celebrated 25 years of selecting high-achieving students to serve as apprentices in a variety of NASA professions.

Students, representing nearly every state, Puerto Rico and American Samoa have participated in the education program. Created in 1980, NSHARP is designed to attract and increase participation among under represented students in science, technology, engineering or mathematics.

The apprenticeship runs approximately eight weeks during the summer. It engages students in research opportunities and reinforces educational excellence. The program also seeks to enrich and inspire students by promoting interaction within their academic, workplace and social environments. The program also includes an hourly stipend for students.

"NASA is committed to inspiring the next generation of explorers," said NASA SHARP Program Manager Deborah Glasco. "NASA SHARP is a direct extension of this commitment dedicated to academically and professionally motivating a diverse group of youth that may one day play a vital role in fulfilling the Vision for Space Exploration," she said.

All 10 NASA centers and several universities participate in NSHARP. There's a commuter component for students residing within a 50-mile radius of a NASA center, and a residential component for those living on a participating university campus.

Administered by Modern Technology Systems Inc., Riverdale, Md., NSHARP operated from June 1 to August 20, 2004. Applications for 2005 are available via the Internet and must be submitted by February 14, 2005. To view the application on the Web, visit:

http://www.nasasharp.com

For information about education programs on the Web, visit:

http://www.education.nasa.gov