09/04/2026
Incredibly proud of what our students at Bastrop can achieve!
A Bastrop High School senior is reaching for the stars—literally.
Jesus Espinosa Terrazas was selected for the prestigious NASA STEM Enhancement in Earth and Space Science (SEES) Summer Internship at The University of Texas at Austin Center for Space Research. The nationally competitive program, a collaboration between NASA and UT Austin, received more than 3,000 applications for just 118 on-site internship positions.
As part of SEES, students work alongside NASA-funded scientists, engineers and other STEM professionals on authentic research projects. Interns use NASA Earth-observing satellite data, explore space science and engineering concepts, develop programming skills and investigate topics connected to missions involving Earth, the Moon, Mars and beyond.
Before arriving on campus, students complete Earth and space science and Python coding coursework while working remotely with their project scientists. During the two-week on-site experience at UT Austin, they participate in hands-on activities, field investigations, facility tours, and research projects while learning from experts in the aerospace and STEM fields.
For Jesus, the opportunity was a natural fit.
“I have always been interested in STEM, particularly engineering, electronics, programming, and space,” Jesus said. “The opportunity to work with NASA-related research and learn from scientists and engineers was something that really stood out to me.”
One of the highlights of the experience was working with fellow students on the Engineer Beyond Your World project and applying programming and STEM skills to a real-world research project.
“I enjoyed collaborating with my team, learning more about NASA-related research and being able to apply programming and STEM skills to a real project,” Jesus said. “It was also exciting to meet and learn from scientists, engineers, and other professionals working in STEM.”
Following graduation, Jesus plans to pursue a degree in electrical engineering, with interests in aerospace, electronics, and technology—and has a particular interest in attending The University of Texas at Austin.
Through opportunities like SEES, students are gaining more than classroom knowledge. They are experiencing what it means to be a scientist, engineer, and problem-solver while preparing to become the STEM workforce of the future.
We are proud to celebrate Jesus for representing Bastrop High School on this incredible opportunity.
