In a significant stride for education and women in science, a senior at Young Women’s STEAM Research & Preparatory Academy, Catherine Cardenas, has earned a coveted spot in a NASA internship. This summer, the tenacious student joined the ranks of a mere 95 interns selected from over 3,000 hopefuls, as reported by El Paso ISD.
The program, a virtual research initiative lasting five weeks, provided Cardenas with a unique opportunity to delve into the Urban Heat Island effect. She worked alongside fellow interns, conducted under the watchful eyes of NASA’s seasoned scientists and engineers. Speaking about her experiences, Cardenas said, “Interning for NASA was an incredible and eye opening experience," and she went on to say, "It's just a reminder that whatever your goal is, no matter how crazy, you can always reach it," according to an interview by El Paso ISD.
Since its inception in 2017, Young Women’s STEAM Academy has fostered an environment that not just encourages, but insists on the progression of young women through education in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics. The El Paso school stands out as the nation's first single-gender New Tech Network Academy and remains the district's only single-gender campus.
Following the internship, Cardenas is looking forward to expanding her academic journey into mechanical engineering at college, bringing with her a wealth of knowledge, forged mentorship connections, and a spark of inspiration from her time at NASA. Dr. Cynthia Ontiveros, the academy's principal, extolled Cardenas' achievements and reflects the robustness of the STEAM-focused education the academy delivers. “We are so proud to see our students not only meeting but exceeding their goals,” she told El Paso ISD.
