Maine Space Grant Consortium High School STEM Internships (MERITS Program)

Grades

High school students (specific grades not detailed on website, likely 9-12)

Age

Not specified, typically 14-18

Citizenship

U.S. citizens or permanent residents (standard for NASA-funded programs)

Prerequisites

Interest in STEM; likely need good academic standing; no specific GPA mentioned

Steps

1. Contact MSGC directly at 877-397-7223 or via their website contact form
2. Obtain application materials and internship position listings
3. Complete application form with academic information
4. Submit letters of recommendation (likely 1-2)
5. Provide essay or statement of interest in STEM/internship goals
6. Application review and selection process
7. Notification of acceptance

Materials Needed

• Application form
• Academic transcript or GPA information
• Letters of recommendation (from teachers/counselors)
• Statement of purpose or essay about STEM interests
• Signed parental consent forms
• Possibly proof of Maine residency

Timeline

Likely spring/early summer applications for summer internship placement; specific deadlines not publicly listed online—contact MSGC directly

Cost

Free to apply; internship is funded by NASA Space Grant program

What Judges Look For

• Academic performance and GPA in math/science courses
• Demonstrated interest in STEM fields
• Communication skills and ability to articulate career goals
• Motivation and work ethic
• Fit with specific internship placement site
• Previous STEM coursework (AP/honors preference likely)
• Demonstrated curiosity about aerospace or research

Scoring

Not publicly available; typical Space Grant programs use holistic review combining academics, essays, and recommendations

Common Mistakes

• Submitting late or missing deadlines
• Generic essays that don't show specific STEM interest
• Weak or rushed letters of recommendation (choose recommenders who know you well)
• Focusing only on grades without demonstrating genuine passion
• Not researching the specific internship placement site beforehand
• Poor attention to detail or incomplete applications

Acceptance Rate

Unknown—not publicly disclosed; estimated moderately competitive (likely 30-50% acceptance for qualified applicants given it's region-specific)

Applicants

Unknown; not publicly disclosed

Winners / Selected

Unknown; likely 10-30 internships available based on affiliated institution capacity

• Call MSGC directly (877-397-7223) to ask about current application cycle, deadlines, and available positions—this info isn't fully online
• Get strong letters of recommendation from science/math teachers who can speak to your abilities and curiosity
• Write a compelling personal statement connecting your STEM interests to why this internship matters to you
• Research the specific partner institutions (likely include University of Maine system, research labs) to express interest in particular placements
• Emphasize any prior STEM experience: science clubs, robotics, coding, science fairs, or previous summer programs
• Show understanding of what aerospace or space-related work involves; demonstrate you've done homework on the field
• Highlight leadership and teamwork abilities—internships value students who collaborate well
• Apply early if there's a rolling admissions process
• Show geographic connection to Maine (if applicable) and commitment to staying engaged with Maine STEM community
• Frame the internship as part of your broader STEM pathway and college/career goals

How to Prepare

• Contact MSGC 3-4 months before anticipated deadline to clarify process and deadlines
• Strengthen relationships with 1-2 science/math teachers for strong recommendations
• Read about Maine-based research institutions and their work
• Explore aerospace and NASA-related topics to deepen genuine interest
• Draft multiple versions of personal statement/essay
• Review and edit your application materials carefully for errors
• Prepare to discuss your STEM background and internship goals in interviews if required

Resources

• Official MSGC website: www.msgc.org
• NASA Space Grant national website for program context
• University of Maine research initiatives (likely partner institution)
• NASA career and education pages
• Science writing and communication guides
• Contact MSGC directly for specific guidance and mentorship

Time Needed

2-3 months of active preparation (timeline flexible based on application cycle)

Students typically have strong grades in STEM courses (B+ to A range), demonstrated participation in science clubs or extracurriculars, strong writing and communication skills, and clear articulation of STEM career interests. Successful applicants show genuine curiosity about research and aerospace, not just resume-padding. They often have some prior lab or hands-on STEM experience.

High value for college applications, especially for Maine residents or those attending Maine colleges. Demonstrates serious STEM commitment, research experience, and aerospace/technical interest. Strong for engineering, physics, geology, atmospheric science, and aerospace engineering college majors. NASA-affiliated programs carry institutional prestige. More impactful regionally (Northeast, particularly Maine) than nationally, but still valuable for any selective college application. Shows hands-on STEM work experience, which colleges value highly.

• Congressional App Challenge — Tier 3, competition
• ARML (American Regions Mathematics League) — Tier 3, competition
• AMC (American Mathematics Competitions) — Tier 3, competition
• National Science Bowl — Tier 3, competition
• Science Olympiad — Tier 3, competition