Overview

The NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) develops innovative technologies for aeronautics and space exploration. The Center seeks to strengthen its collaboration with Engineering and Science Departments within U.S. Universities and Colleges by offering capstone projects faculty advisors of senior level undergraduate students.

The capstones are designed to provide authentic research, design, and development opportunities for students, based upon current in-house research and engineering engagements. GRC provides technical expertise and guidance to complete the capstone projects. Universities and colleges are expected to use existing on-campus resources to successfully complete execution of project(s).

The capstone collaboration will connect university faculty with GRC opportunities which will result in academic course credit for their students.

Project Timeline

All meetings, reviews, and presentations are virtual with a NASA Subject Matter Expert (SME).

09/13/24 – 10/18/24	Registration for the 2024-25 Academic year is open
10/23/24	Faculty advisors notified of selection
10/28/24 – 11/01/24	Kickoff meetings
01/27/25 – 01/31/25	Midpoint reviews
04/11/25	Team action photos are due
04/21/25 – 04/21/25	Final presentations
05/09/25	Final project reports are due (fifteen pages)

Eligibility Requirements

• Teams must have an on-campus faculty member volunteer serving as advisor for the complete duration of the capstone project.
• Teams must have a student Team Lead/Point of Contact (POC).
  1. The faculty advisor shall register their academic institution no later than 11:59 p.m. EST on October 18, 2024
  2. Faculty advisors must complete, sign, and send the required Agreement Form.
• Students must be enrolled in an accredited academic institution.
• Students must be U.S. citizens.
• Teams must attend the kickoff meeting of the selected capstone project.
• Teams must be comprised of a minimum of four or maximum of six students.

Capstone Projects

Click on a project below for details and registration links.

• Aircraft for Venus Surface Sample Return
• Autonomous Ribbon Refeeding System for Stress-Annealing Soft-Magnetic Nanocomposites
• Mold Height Adjustment Platform for Vacuum Induction Melting System
• Regenerative Fuel Cell Systems for the Lunar Surface

Faculty Advisor Instructions

Faculty advisors must confirm by email their support throughout the duration of the capstone project to:

• Include the number of participants from the institution.
• Ascertain US citizenship of their on-site team members.

Confirmation must be sent via e-mail at: GRC-UniversitySeniorCapstones@mail.nasa.gov by 10/18/24.

Student Instructions

Students must print, complete, sign (signature required), and return the agreement form.

Agreement forms must be sent via e-mail to: GRC-UniversitySeniorCapstones@mail.nasa.gov by 10/18/24.

The Agreement form can be accessed by clicking here.

Contact Information

Gerald Voltz
Education Program Specialist
Email: GRC-Ed-Opportunities@mail.nasa.gov

Phone: (216) 433-6656