Students gain unparalleled access to NASA Johnson Space Center's active astronaut training and development facilities, learning directly from NASA engineers, mission specialists, and astronauts.
The National Student Leadership Conference (NSLC) Engineering program at Rice University offers high school students an immersive, nine-day residential experience focused on engineering and aerospace. Participants engage in mission-based simulations inspired by real NASA challenges, gaining hands-on experience in areas like rocket propulsion, robotics, thermal protection, and designing life-sustaining environments. The program includes learning inside NASA Johnson Space Center and Space Center Houston, providing access to active facilities used for astronaut preparation and mission development. Students will develop practical engineering skills such as soldering, programming, breadboarding, and computer-aided design through workshops and team-based design challenges. The curriculum also integrates leadership development, with lectures on social robotics, assistive technology, and engineering career pathways, alongside workshops on communication, collaboration, and conflict resolution. Students will also gain behind-the-scenes access to NASA Johnson Space Center, including Historic Mission Control and the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory, and visit Rice University's George R. Brown School of Engineering and Oshman Engineering Design Kitchen.
A typical day involves a blend of immersive workshops, mission-based simulations, and team-based design challenges, often taking place within NASA Johnson Space Center facilities or at Rice University.
This program is ideal for high school students interested in exploring engineering and aerospace through hands-on, real-world applications and gaining insight into careers at NASA.
Rice University
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