NASA’s scientific activation program STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Improvement of the Earth Sciences Summer Trainee Program (VES)Organized by the University of Texas Center for Space Research, continues to extend opportunities for high school students to engage in authentic research on space flights. As part of the VEES microgravity research initiative, four trainees were selected to fly with their microgravity experiences aboard the Zero-G parabolic aircraft. The students had 11 minutes of weightlessness out of 30 parabolas to carry out their experiences.
This immersive experience was made possible thanks to a collaboration between the SEE, the space for teachers, the Wisconsin Space Grant Consortium and the International Space Station National Laboratory (CASIS). Together, these partners give students access to training aligned with industry and direct experience in the design, tests and integration of aerospace experiences.
Congratulations to the 2025 microgravity research team:
- Charlee Chandler, 11th year, Rehobeth High School (Dothan, Al): Galvanic vestibular stimulation (GV) and vestibular-ocular reflex (VOR) in microgravity
- Aya Elamrani-Brefi, 11th year, Hereford High School (Parkton, MD): dynamics of bubbles induced by thermocapillary
- Lily Myers, 12th year, Eastlake High School (Sammamish, WA): Slosh damping propellant using polyurethane foam
- Nathan Scalf 11th Grade, Lexington Christian Academy (Lexington, Ky): Wound irrigation system for microgravity
Selected among nearly 100 proposals submitted by 2024 sees the trainees, these four students spent months preparing for the flight thanks to weekly technical mentoring and structured milestones. Their training included the development of proposals, design examinations, safety assessments, equipment tests and a complete integration process, work through engineering protocols aligned with industry and mission standards.
In addition to their individual experiences, students also supported the theft of 12 experiments designed by the team integrated into the Zqube platform, a compact sugar holder co-developed by Twiggs Space Lab, Space For Teachers and Nasa See. The Zqube allows more than 150 trainees from across the country to contribute to microgravity surveys. Each autonomous experience includes on-board sensors, transparent cameras and test chambers, returning valuable video data and sensors for post-theft analysis.
This opportunity for microgravity research supports the wider mission of the mission to prepare students for careers in aerospace, spatial flight engineering and scientific research. Thanks to a direct engagement with NASA scientists, academic mentors and commercial aerospace experts, students acquire a real overview of the engineering of systems and technical disciplines necessary in today’s space industry.
The Vees Summer Stany program is a competitive STEM experience nationally for high school students from 10th to 11th year. Trainees learn to interpret the data of NASA satellites while working with scientists and engineers in their chosen work field, including astronomy, remote sensing and geodesic space techniques to help understand earth systems, natural risks and climate. It is supported by NASA within the framework of the allocation number of the NNH15ZDA004C cooperation agreement and is part of the NASA scientific activation portfolio. Find out more about the way scientific activation links NASA scientific experts, real content and experiences with community leaders to do science so as to activate minds and promote a more in-depth understanding of our world and beyond: https://Science.nasa.gov/learn/about-science-activation/