What’s Happening Today!

Welcome to a new daily drop from That Black Chemist! 

Today we’re highlighting the National Nuclear Security Administration’s (NNSA) Minority Serving Institutions Internship Program, a fully paid opportunity that connects undergraduates and recent graduates with hands-on experience in national security, engineering, cybersecurity, and more. Over 10–12 weeks, interns work alongside leading scientists and engineers on mission-critical projects, receive mentorship, and gain the skills needed for careers that protect the nation.

Also making headlines: NASA’s Perseverance rover has just collected its 24th rock core sample from Mars, edging closer to its goal of returning the first-ever samples from the Red Planet to Earth. These cores could unlock secrets about Mars’ ancient climate, geology, and the possibility that microbial life once existed there—marking a historic step in planetary science and exploration.

Upcoming Opportunities

🔬 NNSA-MSIIP: Paid Summer Internships at the U.S. Department of Energy

Join the National Nuclear Security Administration Minority Serving Institutions Internship Program (NNSA-MSIIP) and spend your summer working on high-impact projects in science, engineering, technology, mathematics, policy, and more. Designed for students from Minority Serving Institutions, this 12-week paid internship places you in national labs, DOE offices, or NNSA sites, where you’ll gain hands-on experience, mentorship, and professional development to jump-start your career.

📅 Program Details

• Dates: June 1 – August 21, 2026

• Stipend: $750–$1,150/week depending on education level

• Location: DOE/NNSA national labs, Washington, DC, or field offices (in-person, hybrid, or virtual)

• Additional Support: Housing & commuting supplements, travel funding for conferences/site visits

• Application Deadline: October 26, 2025

• Application: [Link here]

✅ Eligibility

• U.S. citizen

• At least 18 years old by June 1, 2026

• Minimum GPA: 3.0 on a 4.0 scale

• Enrolled at an accredited Minority Serving Institution in Fall 2025 (or recent Fall 2025 graduate)

• Undergraduate, graduate, or recent graduate (all levels considered)

• All STEM and select non-STEM majors welcome

⚠️ Bonus Opportunities You Should Know

• 🧪 NSF REU Summer Research Programs: List of funded undergrad research programs. (Search here)

• 🎓 Zintellect: List of scholarships, research fellowships, and internship opportunities funded by the U.S. government or private sector. (Search here)

• 💰 NASA OSTEM Internships: List of NASA Internships for high school and undergraduate STEM students. (More info)

• 🪖 Department of Defense (DoD) SMART Scholarship: $30,000-$46,000 scholarship awarded to top STEM students. (Link)

🌍 International Opportunities

• 🧲 Pathways to Science: List of upcoming internships, scholarships, and research programs hosted by any country [open to international students]. (Search here)

• 🔬 Amgen Scholars Program: Prestigious summer research program for undergraduate students in the U.S., Europe, or Asia. (More info)

• ⚛️ European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN): Search for any upcoming internships related to chemistry, physics, engineering, or data science! (Link here)

• 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Intrax Global Internships: STEM-focused internship program for international students hosted by the U.S. Department of State. (More info)

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Scientist’s Scroll

🪐 NASA’s ‘Perseverance’ Captures Beautiful Image of Mars

With clear skies over Jezero Crater, NASA’s ‘Perseverance’ rover snapped a 96-image mosaic from a site called “Falbreen,” revealing rippling sand, a mysterious “float rock” perched on a dune, and hills as far as 40 miles away. Enhanced-color views show a strikingly blue sky, while natural colors reveal Mars’ familiar reddish hue.

One standout find is a large boulder likely transported from elsewhere before the dune beneath it formed. Nearby, the rover drilled its 43rd abrasion patch to study some of the oldest terrain it has explored. The panorama also captures the boundary between two distinct rock units: lighter, olivine-rich rocks in the foreground and much older, darker clay-bearing rocks beyond.

NASA scientists say views like this are a preview of what future astronauts could one day witness on the Martian surface.

🔗 Read the full article here —>

Tip of the Day

🛠️ Master the Art of Lab Equipment Troubleshooting

When instruments misbehave, panic is tempting—but methodical troubleshooting saves time, money, and headaches. By approaching problems systematically, you’ll avoid chasing false leads and get back to reliable results faster.

Here’s how to diagnose issues like a pro:

• Start with the Obvious First: Check power, cables, connections, and switches before diving into complex fixes. Many “serious” problems end up being unplugged cords or tripped breakers.

• Confirm the Problem Is Real: Rule out user error or incorrect settings. Compare with known standards or run a quick test sample to ensure the instrument, not the method, is at fault.

• Work from Simple to Complex: Tackle the cheapest, least invasive fixes first—like replacing a filter, cleaning optics, or recalibrating—before considering expensive repairs.

• Check the Environment: Temperature, humidity, vibration, and dust can all disrupt performance. Sometimes the solution is as simple as stabilizing the instrument’s surroundings.

• Document Each Step: Write down every adjustment, test, or part swap. This creates a record for future troubleshooting and keeps you from repeating dead ends.

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Today’s Theme: TikTok Tuesday

Tuesdays are better than Mondays, right?

Let’s enjoy an awesome TikTok watching the strange properties of metals bonded to Gallium!

@rapidscience

Gallium is scary. 🧪⚠️ #gallium #scary #chemistry #experiment #chemical #lab #chemist #science #stem #fyp

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