This summer, NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland introduced the NASA Glenn High School Engineering Institute, a free, work-based learning opportunity aimed at preparing high school students for careers in the aerospace industry.
Rising juniors and seniors from across the United States applied for this innovative in-person summer program, with over 400 applications received. From this pool, sixty students were chosen to participate in one of the three weeklong sessions. Eligibility criteria included entering the 11th or 12th grade for the 2025-2026 academic year, maintaining a minimum GPA of 3.2, verification by a school counselor, and providing a recommendation letter from a teacher.
The NASA Glenn High School Engineering Institute immerses students in the agency's work while equipping them with vital career readiness skills for future endeavors in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
Over the five-day program, students engage with authentic NASA mission content and collaborate with Glenn’s technical experts to deepen their understanding of the engineering design process. They also develop practical engineering solutions to real-world challenges and test prototypes in key mission areas, including:
- Acoustic Dampening--How can we minimize noise pollution from jet engines?
- Power Management and Distribution--How can we create a smart power system for future space stations?
- Simulated Lunar Operations--Can we design tires that don’t rely on air?
The Ohio Space Grant Consortium supported NASA’s initiative by having K-12 Education Specialist Jill Marconi assist during the first session. Marconi expressed her admiration for the students' enthusiasm and knowledge, noting that participants traveled from as far as San Francisco, CA, and as close as Mentor, OH.
“Watching these students dive into complex engineering challenges with such creativity and determination gives me confidence in the future of aerospace,” said Jill Marconi, K-12 Education Specialist with the Ohio Space Grant Consortium. “They’re not just learning about NASA’s work—they’re realizing that they have a place in it.”
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About The Ohio Space Grant Consortium
The Ohio Space Grant Consortium is a statewide network of colleges and universities working to expand opportunities for Ohioans to understand and participate in NASA’s aeronautics and space projects by supporting and enhancing Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) through scholarships, fellowships, higher education, research infrastructure, pre-college (K-12), and informal education public outreach efforts. The Space Grant national network includes more than 1,000 affiliates from universities, colleges, industry, museums, science centers, and state and local agencies.
About Parallax Advanced Research & the Ohio Aerospace Institute
Parallax Advanced Research is an advanced research institute that tackles global challenges through strategic partnerships with government, industry, and academia. It accelerates innovation, addresses critical global issues, and develops groundbreaking ideas with its partners. In 2023, Parallax and the Ohio Aerospace Institute, an aerospace research institute located in Cleveland, OH, formed a collaborative affiliation to drive innovation and technological advancements across Ohio and the nation. The Ohio Aerospace Institute plays a pivotal role in advancing aerospace through collaboration, education, and workforce development.