FAU engineering student chosen for two NASA internships

Published July 1st, 2008

By Dale M. King
CITY EDITOR

Juciana Barbosa, a senior in the College of Engineering and Computer Science at Florida Atlantic University, is getting hands-on lessons about the “Final Frontier” – space.

The Boca Raton resident was recently selected to participate in two competitive internships with the Florida Space Grant Consortium (FSGC) and Space Florida.  Sponsored by NASA, the 10-week program is directed by both organizations, and takes place at the Kennedy Space Center.  

“Getting involved in extracurricular programs is crucial in a student’s curriculum,” said Barbosa. “These unique internships have been an extraordinary opportunity for me to learn beyond the traditional classroom by allowing me to work on projects that will help to develop my engineering and communication skills.”

Managed GPS

Barbosa was chosen to be part of a group of 12 students from different universities in Florida.  The students, each with different engineering and physics backgrounds, collaboratively built a payload that was launched on a weather balloon.  Barbosa’s role, in partnership with two other students, was to manage the GPS system for the project.

Barbosa’s dedication to her field continues as she embarks on her second non-technical internship offered by the FSGC.  Her responsibility will be to help manage and organize the pre-service teacher institute workshop that is designed to increase students’ skills in teaching mathematics and science, while incorporating technology into the curriculum. 

The FAU senior said her passion for mathematics and physics motivated her to enter this field at a very young age.  Her goal, she said, is to graduate from FAU and practice electrical engineering where she can work toward the future development of aerospace technology.

“At FAU, we pride ourselves on providing our students with the best resources available in order to succeed academically and professionally,” said Tamsyn Carey, director of the division of engineering student services. “Juciana is a prime example of many of our exceptional students who have taken advantage of these opportunities to advance their career to the next level.”

“Nothing,” said Carey, “gives me greater pleasure and makes me prouder than seeing one of our students achieve a lifelong dream.”

FAU’s College of Engineering and Computer Science provides accessible programs of education and research. Course offerings are presented on-campus, off-campus, and through distance learning in bioengineering, civil engineering, computer engineering, computer science, electrical engineering, geomatics engineering, mechanical engineering and ocean engineering.