CSA Doctoral Candidate Works “Project M”
CEP Short-term Assignment (CSA) student Narcrisha Norman describes her 2010 summer internship at JSC as a “dream come true.” A Doctoral Candidate at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia, Narcrisha has devoted her research to Aerospace Engineering and STEM Education. The highlight of her summer internship, says Narcrisha, was using both her engineering and education expertise on the premier engineering effort, Project M.
Narcrisha’s contributions to the ambitious initiative were two-fold: to analyze the RR1 altimeter residuals, and to develop a detailed plan for the project’s outreach and education. A challenge for Narcrisha, who holds a Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering, is finding work that allows her to utilize both her engineering knowledge and her experience in STEM education. Project M, it turns out, was the perfect combination of technical and educational work, allowing her to provide great contributions during her short 10-week internship.
In addition to her work with Project M, Narcrisha took every opportunity to attend lectures, tours, and volunteer experiences while at JSC. She participated in the “Administrator Intern All-hands” and was selected to ask Administrator Bolden a question in regards to education and the future of NASA. She also participated in multiple volunteer activities, and was nominated for the prestigious NASA Ambassadors Program for her outstanding contributions to the NASA community.
Narcrisha will return to her home and family in Virginia to defend her dissertation in the fall, yet she hopes to come back to JSC soon. “Nothing can compare to reading about a place as amazing as Johnson Space Center and then actually getting the opportunity to work there,” says Narcrisha, who was inspired to pursue a career in aerospace when she watched the Apollo moon landing at ten years old. She plans to continue working with NASA on her simulation for Martian entry, decent, and landing; and hopes to eventually teach Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at the university level, inspiring and equipping future generations to pursue careers in space exploration.