CHARLOTTE, N.C. — This summer, many students in Charlotte are celebrating achievements and setting new goals. George Taylor, a rising junior at Palisades High School, is shooting for the stars.
Taylor was accepted as a NASA summer intern in Texas for the 2024 STEM Enhancement in Earth Science Summer Intern Program.
Taylor was one of 40 students selected.
“I worked with renowned scientists and astronauts and mentors who have provided guidance and support throughout this entire internship," Taylor said.
This prestigious program, which starts this week, only accepted the top 10% of the 500 applicants.
The internship is held at The University of Texas at Austin’s Center for Space Research, where students work with scientists and engineers to conduct authentic research. They also work to develop experiments for the ZQube, a small satellite.
“We conducted research to help prevent astronauts from being iron deficient in space," Taylor added.
Taylor and his peers will have the opportunity to develop an experiment that will fly on the Zero-G aircraft in microgravity.
Taylor hopes to use the experience to help build his next steps. “My biggest takeaway was the team efforts and the importance of collaboration," he said.
Taylor said he hopes to inspire other young scientists to chase their dreams, regardless of their age.
“[I] hope my peers see this and take into consideration that once you find your interest, with enough passion and determination, everything is possible," he said.
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