NASA Selects Next Class of Student Ambassadors

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Mar 14, 2012, 02:36 ET

WASHINGTON, March 14, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- NASA recently inducted 100 high-performing interns into the 2012 NASA Student Ambassadors Virtual Community. Their selection is part of the agency's effort to engage undergraduate and graduate students in science, engineering, mathematics and technology, or STEM, research and interactive opportunities. This fourth group of student ambassadors, known as Cohort IV, includes interns from 34 states and 73 universities.

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"Congratulations Cohort IV on your selection to the NASA Student Ambassadors," said Leland Melvin, associate administrator for education at NASA Headquarters. "We are proud of your commitment to excellence and your spirit of 'paying it forward.' Being selected for this prestigious group is an honor, and your creativity and innovation will help NASA inspire the STEM workforce of the future and the next generation of explorers."

Members of this virtual community will interact with NASA personnel, share information, make vital professional connections, collaborate with peers, represent NASA in a variety of venues, and help inspire and engage future interns. Through the community's website, participants access tools needed to serve as a student ambassador, blog, announcements, member profiles, forums, polls, and career resources.

NASA managers and mentors nominated the recipients from hundreds of current interns and fellows across the agency. NASA's internships are among the most exciting research and educational opportunities available to college students. This online initiative also serves as a vehicle for recognizing outstanding student contributions. The community elevates the visibility and contribution of the ambassadors, providing increased involvement with the agency's exploration and STEM education missions.

"The NASA Student Ambassadors Virtual Community serves as an outreach vehicle to the nation's students and is an effective way to engage exceptional Gen-Y students," added Mabel J. Matthews, NASA's higher education manager. "This innovative activity is important to helping the agency attract, engage, educate and employ future scientists and engineers."

For more information about the NASA Student Ambassadors Virtual Community and to see an interactive U.S. map containing the names and schools of the 2012 Cohort IV participants, visit:

http://intern.nasa.gov

For more information about education at NASA, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/education

SOURCE NASA