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If you're passionate about climate change, ocean ecosystems, or sustainability, the CICOES Climate & Ocean REU could be your ticket to a powerful summer. This 9-week NOAA/NSF-funded program places undergrads in real-world research—from ocean acidification to fisheries biology—all while paying $6,000+, covering housing, meals, and airfare.

Next up, the NSF just dropped $45 million into STEM leadership development across U.S. universities. This new investment supports students from underrepresented backgrounds, aiming to expand access to cutting-edge research and mentoring opportunities. Think of it as a nationwide push to build a more diverse, resilient scientific workforce.

Finally, let’s rewind to 1937, when German physicist Manfred von Ardenne developed a radical new way to view the invisible: the Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). By scanning samples with electrons instead of light, SEM unlocked nanoscale images of surfaces in astonishing detail and has applications in every field of science & engineering.

Upcoming Opportunities

🌊 Upcoming 2026 REU in Climate, Ocean, & Ecosystem Science

The Cooperative Institute for Climate, Ocean, and Ecosystem Studies (CICOES), in partnership with NOAA and the University of Washington, is offering a 9-week summer research experience for 12–15 undergraduates. Interns will dive into hands-on environmental research across themes like ocean acidification, climate change, fisheries, and more.

Students will work alongside experienced scientists, present their research at a final symposium, and enjoy unique experiences—from field work to Mount Rainier hikes. CICOES covers all major costs, including housing, travel, meals, and local transportation.

📅 Program Details

• Award: $650/week stipend ($5,850 total) + free housing, travel, & meal plan

• Duration: June – August 2026

• Location: University of Washington (Seattle), NOAA facilities, or field sites

• Application Window: TBD

• Apply Here: [Website]

✅ Eligibility

• U.S. citizen, national, or permanent resident

• 18+ years old

• Must be a college sophomore, junior, or returning senior (Fall 2025)

• Priority given to students who haven’t participated in a summer REU before

⚠️ 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 Invests $45M in Projects Aimed at AI, Quantum, and Biotech

The U.S. National Science Foundation has announced $45 million in funding for 15 new Research Traineeship (NRT) projects aimed at preparing graduate students for leadership in cutting-edge STEM fields such as artificial intelligence, quantum science, biotechnology, and translational research.

This is the largest annual NRT investment yet for institutions in EPSCoR jurisdictions, now reaching STEM trainees in 47 states, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands—with Idaho and North Dakota joining for the first time.

These NSF-funded projects will train students to meet regional economic demands and national research priorities, from rural agriculture and health care systems to infrastructure development and the quantum workforce.

🔗 Read the full article here —>

Tip of the Day

📊 Plot Your Data ASAP!

It’s tempting to save data analysis for “later,” but one of the smartest habits in lab work or research is plotting your data the same day (or by the next). Here’s why high-performing scientists do it early and often:

• 🧠 Insight Accelerator: Seeing your data visualized helps you understand trends, errors, or unexpected patterns that pop out when plotted.

• ⛑️ Error Catcher: Plotting early helps you spot mistakes or equipment issues before they snowball. Waiting too long risks wasting days, weeks, and even months on unusable data.

• 🔁 Feedback Loop: Daily plotting informs your next move. Whether it’s adjusting a variable, changing sample prep, or running a control, your data should guide your decisions in real-time.

• ⏱️ Time Saver: Think you’re saving time by putting it off? Think again. Backlogged plots = analysis pileup = future-you in panic mode. Small daily habits keep your project manageable and stress low.

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Today’s Theme: Throwback Thursday

🔬 Scanning Electron Microscopy: A Revolution in Visualizing the Invisible

In 1937, German physicist Manfred von Ardenne pioneered a new kind of microscope—one that didn’t rely on light, but instead scanned samples with a focused beam of electrons. This breakthrough marked the beginning of Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), a powerful technique that could reveal surfaces at sub-nanometer resolution.

SEM works by directing electrons across a sample's surface in a raster pattern. These electrons interact with atoms in the material, producing signals that are captured to form highly detailed images. The technique is especially sensitive to surface topography, making it indispensable in fields ranging from materials science to biology.

Though von Ardenne’s invention laid the foundation, it was Charles Oatley’s group at Cambridge in the 1950s–60s that refined the technology for broader use. In 1965, the first commercial SEM—called the Stereoscan—was launched by Cambridge Scientific Instrument Company and delivered to DuPont, setting the stage for its widespread adoption.

Today, SEMs operate in various environments and continue to be vital for nanoscale research and innovation.

🔗 Read the full article here —>

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