NASA SEES (STEM Enhancement in Earth Science) internship guide | RISE Research

This NASA SEES (STEM Enhancement in Earth Science) internship guide covers everything high school students need to know: what the program involves, how competitive it is, what you actually produce, and what to do if you want a stronger, verifiable research outcome on your college application. RISE Research is the strongest alternative for students who want a peer-reviewed published paper in Earth science or environmental science. Our deadline is closing soon.

What is the NASA SEES internship and who is it for?

Answer: NASA SEES (STEM Enhancement in Earth Science) is a competitive virtual internship program run by the Texas Space Grant Consortium in partnership with NASA. It targets high school students in grades 9 through 12 who want to work with real NASA Earth science data. Students complete research projects under the guidance of NASA scientists and university mentors.

NASA SEES is one of the few NASA-affiliated programs that directly places high school students in Earth science research. The program is administered by the Texas Space Grant Consortium (TSGC) and draws on NASA datasets including satellite imagery, atmospheric data, and climate records.

Students who participate work on defined research themes that align with NASA Earth science priorities. Past themes have included urban heat islands, vegetation health, water quality, and wildfire risk. Each student is paired with a NASA scientist or university researcher who provides technical guidance throughout the program.

The program is designed for students who have a genuine interest in Earth science, environmental science, or data analysis. Prior coding experience is helpful but not always required. Students must be US citizens or permanent residents, and they must be enrolled in a US high school at the time of application. The program is fully virtual, which means students from any state can apply.

For students who want to explore NASA-affiliated research, SEES is one of the most accessible entry points available. You can find full program details at the official TSGC website: tsgc.utexas.edu/sees-internship.

How competitive is the NASA SEES internship for high school students?

Answer: NASA SEES is selective. The program receives thousands of applications each cycle and accepts a limited cohort of students. A strong application typically includes academic achievement in science and math, demonstrated interest in Earth science or environmental topics, and a clear personal statement. International students are not eligible.

The program does not publish an official acceptance rate. Based on the volume of applicants and the limited number of spots, competition is significant. Students who are accepted typically have strong grades in science and math, some prior exposure to environmental or data-driven topics, and a focused personal statement that connects their interests to NASA Earth science priorities.

Eligibility is restricted to US citizens and permanent residents currently enrolled in a US high school. This means the program is not available to international students, regardless of academic strength.

For students who do not meet the citizenship requirement, or who want a guaranteed research outcome regardless of selective program results, RISE Research is open to students worldwide. RISE accepts students based on research readiness and genuine intellectual curiosity, not prior prestige or geographic location. RISE carries a 90% publication success rate, which means the outcome is not dependent on a competitive selection process.

What does the NASA SEES internship actually involve?

Answer: NASA SEES students work with real NASA Earth science datasets over a multi-week virtual program. They complete a defined research project, present findings to NASA scientists, and receive a program certificate. The program does not produce a peer-reviewed published paper, which limits its direct value as a verifiable research output in a college application.

The program runs in two phases. The first phase is a virtual training component where students learn to use NASA Earth observation tools and datasets. The second phase involves independent research on a defined project theme, with regular check-ins from a NASA mentor.

At the end of the program, students present their findings in a virtual symposium. This presentation experience is genuinely valuable. Students develop data literacy, scientific communication skills, and familiarity with NASA research workflows.

However, the program produces a certificate and a presentation, not a peer-reviewed publication. In a college application, a certificate confirms participation. A published paper confirms a specific, original contribution to a field. Admissions officers at selective universities can verify a published paper independently. They cannot verify the depth of a certificate program from the outside.

Students who want both the NASA experience and a published research output should consider pairing SEES with a dedicated research mentorship program. RISE Publications shows the range of peer-reviewed journals where RISE scholars have published original work, including journals covering environmental science, climate science, and geoscience topics directly relevant to NASA SEES themes.

How RISE Research compares for students interested in Earth science

RISE Research is a selective 1-on-1 mentorship program where high school students conduct original research under PhD mentors from Ivy League and Oxbridge institutions. For students interested in Earth science, environmental science, or climate research, RISE provides a direct path to a peer-reviewed published paper in those fields.

The program is fully online and open to students in any country. There is no citizenship restriction. Students work with a single dedicated mentor across a structured 10-week program, producing an original research paper submitted to an academic journal. RISE has a 90% publication success rate across 40 or more journals.

Published research appears directly in the Common App Activities section as a verifiable, externally validated output. This is a stronger admissions signal than a program certificate because it demonstrates an original contribution to a field, not just participation in a structured activity.

RISE scholars are accepted to top universities at significantly higher rates than the general applicant pool. The Stanford acceptance rate for RISE scholars is 18%, compared to 8.7% for general applicants. The UPenn acceptance rate for RISE scholars is 32%, compared to 3.8% for general applicants. You can review the full admissions data on the RISE Results page.

For students targeting Earth science, RISE mentors include researchers with expertise in climate modeling, environmental policy, atmospheric science, and ecology. You can explore the full mentor network on the RISE Mentors page.

Our deadline is closing soon. Book a free Research Assessment to find out what is achievable in your timeline.

RISE Research is open to students with an interest in Earth science, environmental science, or any STEM field. Our deadline is closing soon. Book a free Research Assessment to find out what is achievable in your timeline.

What to do if you do not get into NASA SEES

Answer: RISE Research is the strongest first alternative. It produces a peer-reviewed published paper in Earth science or a related field, with a 90% publication success rate. It is open to all qualified students regardless of citizenship or location. Other verified alternatives include the NOAA Hollings Scholarship (college-level) and state-level science fair programs.

Rejection from a selective program like NASA SEES is common and does not reflect your potential as a researcher. The program accepts a small number of students each cycle, and many strong applicants are turned away.

RISE Research removes the uncertainty. You are assessed on research readiness and intellectual curiosity, not on a competitive pool of applicants. If you are ready to conduct original research, RISE provides the mentor, the structure, and the publication pathway. The output is a peer-reviewed paper in your chosen field, which appears on your college application as a verified academic contribution.

For students specifically interested in Earth observation and NASA data, RISE mentors can design research projects that use publicly available NASA datasets, including MODIS satellite imagery, GEOS climate model outputs, and Landsat surface reflectance data. This means the subject matter of your RISE research can align directly with your NASA SEES interest, even if you do not enter the SEES program itself.

You can also explore the range of completed student projects on the RISE Projects page to see examples of original research in science and environmental fields.

Other programs worth considering include science fair competitions such as the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), which accepts original research projects and provides national recognition for strong entries. State-level science fairs often serve as qualifying pathways. These programs reward original research, which is exactly what a RISE project produces.

Frequently asked questions about the NASA SEES internship

How do I apply to NASA SEES?

Answer: Applications for NASA SEES are submitted through the Texas Space Grant Consortium website. You will need transcripts, a personal statement, and teacher recommendations. The application window typically opens in the spring for the following program cycle. Check the official site for current application details: tsgc.utexas.edu/sees-internship.

The personal statement is the most important part of the application. It should connect your specific academic interests to NASA Earth science priorities. Generic statements about loving science do not perform well. Describe a specific question you want to investigate and explain why Earth observation data is the right tool to investigate it.

Is NASA SEES free for high school students?

Answer: Yes. NASA SEES is a free program. There is no tuition or participation fee. The program is funded through NASA and administered by the Texas Space Grant Consortium. Students participate virtually, so there are no travel or housing costs associated with the program.

This makes SEES one of the more accessible NASA-affiliated programs for high school students who want direct exposure to Earth science research without financial barriers.

Does NASA SEES help with college admissions?

Answer: Yes, NASA SEES strengthens a college application by demonstrating genuine engagement with STEM research and NASA science. It is a recognized program with a credible institutional affiliation. However, it produces a certificate rather than a published paper, which limits the depth of the research signal it sends to admissions officers at highly selective universities.

Students who combine a program like SEES with a peer-reviewed publication through RISE Research create a significantly stronger research profile. The publication provides external verification of original work. The program experience provides context and demonstrated interest. Together, they create a research narrative that very few applicants can match.

Can international students apply to NASA SEES?

Answer: No. NASA SEES requires applicants to be US citizens or permanent residents currently enrolled in a US high school. International students are not eligible to apply. Students outside the US who want a comparable Earth science research experience should explore RISE Research, which is open to students in any country.

RISE mentors work with international students across all time zones through a fully virtual format. There are no citizenship or residency requirements. You can review the RISE FAQ for eligibility details.

What are the best alternatives to NASA SEES for high school students?

Answer: RISE Research is the strongest alternative. It produces a peer-reviewed published paper in Earth science or a related field, with a 90% publication success rate, and is open to students worldwide. Other alternatives include state science fair programs and the Regeneron ISEF pathway for students who want competitive recognition for original research.

RISE removes the barriers that make programs like SEES inaccessible to many students: citizenship requirements, geographic restrictions, and competitive selection processes. If you are interested in Earth science research and want a guaranteed verifiable output for your college application, RISE is the most direct path. You can also read our guide on NASA high school internships and who gets selected for a broader view of NASA-affiliated opportunities.

Conclusion

NASA SEES is a well-structured, credible program for US high school students who want direct exposure to Earth science research using real NASA data. It is free, fully virtual, and affiliated with a respected institution. For students who are eligible and accepted, it is a strong addition to a college application.

However, it is restricted to US citizens and permanent residents, it is highly competitive, and it produces a certificate rather than a published paper. For students who want a guaranteed, externally verified research outcome in Earth science or environmental science, RISE Research is the stronger choice. RISE produces a peer-reviewed published paper, is open to students worldwide, and carries a 90% publication success rate. RISE scholars are accepted to top universities at rates that significantly exceed the general applicant pool.

Our deadline is closing soon. If you are a student interested in Earth science research and want a real published paper on your application, schedule a free Research Assessment and we will tell you exactly what is achievable in your timeline.