Program description:
Paid 2.5-week, team-based undergraduate research experience in which students design, build, and deploy small instrument payloads on drones or high-altitude balloons to collect measurements of the Earth’s surface and atmosphere. This hands-on program emphasizes learning by doing and does not require prior experience in hardware, instrumentation, electronics, programming, 3D fabrication, or data analysis.
Participants will:
- Design and build scientific instrument payloads
- Collect atmospheric and surface data using drones or high-altitude balloons
- Gain hands-on experience in hardware development, instrumentation, and data analysis
- Work collaboratively in interdisciplinary teams
- Develop technical problem-solving and research skills
Eligibility:
Participants must be:
- Undergraduate students
- No prior technical or research experience required
Program Details:
- Dates: June 3 – June 20, 2026
- Duration: 2.5 weeks
- Location: Iowa City, IA
Compensation:
Participants receive:
- $1,500 stipend
- $250 food allowance
- Fully covered housing and travel
Application deadline:
Wednesday, January 7, 2026