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The MBARI’s internship is opening doors for undergraduates to dive into ocean science and engineering. From studying pollutants with cutting-edge instruments to working alongside researchers at sea, students gain hands-on experience tackling some of today’s most pressing environmental challenges.

The NSF is also investing in the future of discovery with the new National AI Research Resource Operations Center (NAIRR-OC). Building on a successful pilot that has already supported 400+ research teams, this center will expand nationwide access to computing, data, and training resources.

Finally, let’s rewind to 1905, when Albert Einstein—then a patent clerk—explained the photoelectric effect. By showing that light comes in discrete particles called photons, he solved a decades-old puzzle and laid the foundation for quantum mechanics, earning a Nobel Prize along the way.

Upcoming Opportunities

🌊 Dive Into Ocean Science with MBARI’s Summer Internship

The Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) Summer Internship immerses undergraduates, graduate students, and educators in 10 weeks of advanced ocean research and engineering. Interns work side by side with MBARI scientists, engineers, and communicators on projects using advanced facilities while gaining mentorship, collaboration experience, and professional skills.

📅 Program Details

• Dates: June 8 – August 14, 2026

• Stipend: ~$22/hour (full-time)

• Location: MBARI, Moss Landing, CA

• Apply By: February 28, 2025 (applications open October 2025)

• Apply Here: [Website]

✅ Eligibility

• Undergraduate or graduate students (including recent grads continuing to grad school)

• Educators at all levels welcome

• Must be at least 18 years old by program start

• International applicants eligible (must secure own visa; costs not covered)

⚠️ 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

💾 NSF Launches Effort to Establish National AI Research Resource Operations Center

The National Science Foundation has announced a solicitation to create a National AI Research Resource Operations Center (NAIRR-OC), marking the transition from the NAIRR Pilot to a sustainable national program. Backed by 14 federal agencies and 28 private-sector partners, the pilot has already connected 400+ U.S. research teams with computing platforms, datasets, and AI tools, fueling discoveries in various fields.

The new center will develop a national framework, operations strategy, and centralized web portal to expand access to AI resources, while strengthening U.S. global leadership in artificial intelligence.

🔗 Read the full article here —>

Tip of the Day

📅 Meet Smarter: How to Arrange Time with Advisors & Professors

Reaching out to professors or advisors doesn’t have to be intimidating: it’s all about clarity, respect, and timing. Here’s a simple roadmap:

• Be Specific: Instead of “Can we meet sometime?” say “Could we meet for 20 minutes next week to discuss internship options?” Professors appreciate knowing the purpose and time commitment.

• Offer Options: Suggest two or three time slots that work for you. This makes scheduling easier and shows you value their time.

• Confirm & Follow Up: Once they agree, send a quick calendar invite or reminder email. After the meeting, thank them and note any action items to stand out as professional and prepared.

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Today’s Theme: Throwback Thursday

🚨 Einstein’s Nobel Prize: The Photoelectric Effect

In 1887, Heinrich Hertz discovered that ultraviolet light striking metal could release electrons, but the effect defied classical physics. The brightness of light changed the number of electrons but not their energy—only frequency mattered. The puzzle lingered until 1905, when a young patent clerk named Albert Einstein provided the breakthrough.

Building on Max Planck’s idea of energy quanta, Einstein proposed that light itself comes in discrete particles—photons—whose energy depends on frequency. If a photon carried enough energy, it could knock an electron free, producing the photoelectric effect.

This bold leap redefined light as both wave and particle, reshaped modern physics, and ultimately earned Einstein the 1921 Nobel Prize. It was just one of the revolutionary insights born during his miracle year, when curiosity and imagination from a patent office reshaped our understanding of the universe.

🔗 Read the full article here —>

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