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nasa Katelyn Waugh
Katelyn Waugh

Santa Clarita Student Lands Internship With NASA

A Santa Clarita high school student ended the 2022 school year prepared to pursue discovery beyond the earth’s surface– with a nationally coveted National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) summer internship. 

Katelyn Waugh, a student from Trinity Classical Academy in Santa Clarita, is one of the 1,100 students who applied for the STEM Enhancement in Earth and Space Science held at the University of Texas at Austin’s Center for Space Research, and was among the 92 applicants from around the world who were selected. 

“We strive to understand the Earth’s atmosphere, lithosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere and biosphere as a single connected system,” read a statement from NASA. “Our planet is changing on all spatial and temporal scales. The purpose of NASA’s Earth science program is to develop a scientific understanding of Earth’s system and its response to natural or human-induced changes, and to improve prediction of climate, weather and natural hazards.”

The nationally coveted program, sponsored by NASA’s Texas Space Grant Consortium, selects students with a passion for science, technology, engineering and math to work alongside scientists and engineers in a pursuit of discovery beyond the earth’s surface. 

About The Intern

Through a curriculum analyzing both earth and space, Waugh is planned to conduct authentic research from data received from NASA’s earth observing satellites, all while designing Mars habitats, expanding Lunar Exploration and analyzing images from the International Space Station, according to NASA.

During the two-week program, the student-athlete is expected to conduct hands-on activities, field investigations, attend NASA-led presentations and work on various NASA missions. 

The 16-year-old basketball and tennis player at Trinity Classical Academy has a history of achievement, particularly through her work earning a Silver Award for Santa Clarita Girl Scout Troop 186 in a project that garnered media traction during the 2020 fire season. 

While making strides in both her athletic and educational goals, the NASA internship is Waugh’s next step in reaching her desired potential as a student and researcher.

“The SEES internship proves that the excitement students feel about space science is a critical step in enriching science, math, engineering, and technology,” read an internship description from NASA. “The internship will provide students the rare – and for most, unique – opportunity to spend two weeks working with professional scientists and engineers at the cutting edge of space exploration.”

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This story is brought to you by friends at the California Credit Union.

California Credit Union is a trusted partner of the education community and proud sponsor of the KHTS Education Corner, KHTS Sacramento Road Trip, SCV Education Foundation and the WiSH Education Foundation to support programs that directly aid students and teachers throughout Santa Clarita Valley. California Credit Union is a federally insured, state-chartered credit union founded in 1933 that serves public and private school employees, community members and businesses across California. California Credit Union offers a full suite of consumer, business and investment products and services, including exclusive services for school employees, comprehensive consumer checking and loan options, personalized financial planning, business banking and leading‐edge online and mobile banking. For more information contact Mariam Nasiry, Senior School & Community Development Officer at MNasiry@ccu.com. You may also visit our local Valencia Branch located at 24343 Magic Mountain Pkwy., Santa Clarita, CA 91355, or any of our 25 locations throughout Southern California. Learn more about California Credit Union at www.ccu.com and follow the credit union on Instagram® or Facebook® @CaliforniaCreditUnion. Ready to open an account today? Click to Here to Apply!


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Santa Clarita Student Lands Internship With NASA

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About Rachel Matta

Born and raised in Santa Clarita, Rachel Matta has always had a love for writing and media. The first time she ever smiled was actually while she was laying next to her mom as she flipped through the pages of a magazine. Upon graduating from high school in 2019, she chose to major in both journalism and political science at College of the Canyons with the intention of concentrating in news reporting. She began her journey at KHTS as a news intern in the summer of 2020 and officially joined the newsroom in the spring of 2021, intending to move forward with compassion and inquisition.