Pathway to the Skies
Information
for Interested Students
Program Details
Our program runs Fall through Spring semester. Interns work up to 10 hours/week for 30 weeks. There is one time sheet for interns, and this is online through NAU Louie. This is where interns will login and submit their time weekly. Online times sheets are approved every week. Students must input info online in real time as they work. Mentors provide guidance to student on their research project and help their student with preparation of presentation for the Undergraduate Expo & Symposium which takes place each spring semester at the High Country Conference Center in April. Students can present their work as an exhibit, performance, oral presentation, or poster presentation. Students are responsible for submitting a completed registration form online by end of March for the Symposium.
Program Schedule
- Late August: Program Start
- September: Student/Mentor Orientation
- January: Mid-year Mentor/Student check in
- March: Guidelines for preparing for the Undergraduate Expo & Symposium
- April: Undergraduate Expo & Symposium
- Late April: Last Day of Internship
Internship Requirements & Eligibility
As an intern you will partner with world-renowned scientists on some of the most important research and space missions. Curiosity, motivation, professionalism, good communication, and a commitment to learn and contribute are a must. Your mentor is committed to providing you with the opportunity to broaden your educational goals with a rich, hands-on experience where you will learn and participate in the research process from start to finish. You will be encouraged to understand the research process, learn the fundamentals necessary to succeed, and evolve as a student going into a STEM career fields.
Students must be:
- Citizens or permanent residents of the United States
- CCC2NAU student, planning to transition to NAU to complete their undergraduate studies in a STEM Major
Every year NAU showcases its undergraduate research, design, and creative work at the Undergraduate Expo & Symposium at the end of April. You will be expected to present your work at professional-style poster sessions and receive feedback from judges.
Matching Students to Projects
Once your application is received mentors will rank it based on the content and quality of your responses to three open-ended questions. GPA, motivation for applying, interest-level, potential, and involvement (work, volunteerism, other activities) are also considered. Experience is NOT a factor in the selection process as the internship is designed to provide first research opportunities.
Internship Locations Include:
- NAU’s Department of Astronomy and Planetary Science
- NAU’s Center for Ecosystem Science and Society
- NAU’s School of Informatics, Computing, and Cyber Systems
- Lowell Observatory
Project Duration & Payrate
- Students who submit applications and who are selected as interns will begin to work in NAU research settings at the start of the NAU Fall Semester
- Students will work 10 hours/week
- Pay rate is $15.50/hour
- The standard undergraduate work year is typically Aug-May (Fall & Spring Semesters) at NAU
- Total awarded hours per project is 300 hours which equals roughly 30 weeks at 10 hours/week