Internships
Hands-on Work Experience
Are you a kamaʻāina student who is interested in aerospace research, development, or space exploration? We offer paid and credit-based internship projects to help you get hands-on research and technical experience while making connections in the space community.
Accepted students choose between one of two learning tracks and work to complete specific project goals. Students can also propose their own project ideas.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Majoring in a STEM-related field
- Originally from Hawaiʻi or attending a University of Hawaiʻi school
- 3.5 GPA or higher
Internship Tracks
Planetary Robotics
Our robotics track offers hands-on learning with our planetary rover, Helelani. Students develop the rover's sensors and hardware systems while honing skills in coding, electronics tech, and engineering. Choose an assigned project or propose your own.
Materials Science
Our materials science track offers applied research experience in planetary geology for ISRU and additive manufacturing. Using raw local materials, you will develop and refine a technique for creating sustainable construction materials for Earth and space.
Intern Spotlight
Meet some of the outstanding alumni whose experiences at PISCES have helped further their education and career paths.
Kyla Edison
Kyla is a UH Hilo alumna and Kauaʻi native who worked on a number of PISCES projects over the course of three years. As an intern, she learned how to conduct field surveys, analyze the geological makeup of other planets, and develop techniques for basalt sintering. Her dedication and hard work earned her a full-time position as our resident geology and materials science technician. In 2021, Kyla left Hawaiʻi to pursue a doctorate at the Colorado School of Mines.
Aaron Roth
Aaron is a Waiākea High School graduate who studied computer science at Arizona State University. During his internship, he successfully created a stereoscopic (3D) imaging system for the Helelani rover. After interning as an undergraduate at Jim Bell’s rover imaging lab at ASU and NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, he landed a position on one of the Mars rover teams at JPL.
Lily Leyva
Lily Leyva is a Keaʻau High School graduate who attended our STARS program and was inspired to pursue a career in aerospace engineering. As a materials science intern, she created a new planetary building block design for basalt sintering. She also programmed our Unmanned Aerial Vehicle, Heʻe Manu, for a County of Hawaiʻi R&D project. Lily is now studying Aerospace Engineering at the University of Colorado, Boulder.
Unfortunately we are not offering any internship positions at this time. If you are interested in future opportunities, please send us your contact information along with details about your academic background, experience, and interests.