Look into the Civil Air Patrol program.

Easiest way in is via military.

I hate being debbie downer but I have several family members who work at NASA (and have for decades) so am very familiar with the past/current environment. I agree with the person above who says NASA is a brand. NASA in the next few years will look quite different. I would encourage your teen to expand their reach beyond NASA and into space/exploration/science fields in general. If of any interest, space exploration lobbying is an expanding field.

Anonymous wrote:How would you help him reach his goal? He is a math fanatic and wants to study physics in college. He got a nearly perfect score on both the SAT and ACT. This is a kid who spends his free time watching science videos or spending hours upon hours escaping into his own world of thinking about the universe/space.

Does he need to do certain activities? Should he attend certain schools?

His goal is NASA or conducting research.

Thanks for any guidance.

What makes him "brilliant"? His SAT/ACT scores? or Watching TV??

Model rockets now. At appropriate age, HS and college summer internships with NASA.

Potential college degrees include at least Physics and Aerospace Engineering.

Get involved with a rocketry team.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How would you help him reach his goal? He is a math fanatic and wants to study physics in college. He got a nearly perfect score on both the SAT and ACT. This is a kid who spends his free time watching science videos or spending hours upon hours escaping into his own world of thinking about the universe/space.

Does he need to do certain activities? Should he attend certain schools?

His goal is NASA or conducting research.

Thanks for any guidance.

That was my goal 20 years ago!! Then after my PhD I got a research position at NASA. I worked there for 6 months and moved to oil and gas. Even back then they paid twice as much for nearly the same type of work. I think I make more than twice my experience level at NASA even now - and I have a ton more in savings, sent my kids to nice private schools, have a ski and beach condo, etc. NASA is just a brand, like Exxon, but doesn't offer anything tangible, like energy.

Me again... forgot to answer the question. I was top of my class, near perfect scores, like your son. I got an Honors undergraduate which won an award at LPSC in Houston. This gave me good contacts for grad school, which was paid by NASA. I won about 5 more research awards and had about 10 publications when I finished my PhD. They asked me to apply before I graduated. Everyone I know in NASA research has a similar story. Also similar to me, many of the smarter ones quit when they realize they can make multiples in private startups or at majors.

Anonymous wrote:How would you help him reach his goal? He is a math fanatic and wants to study physics in college. He got a nearly perfect score on both the SAT and ACT. This is a kid who spends his free time watching science videos or spending hours upon hours escaping into his own world of thinking about the universe/space.

Does he need to do certain activities? Should he attend certain schools?

His goal is NASA or conducting research.

Thanks for any guidance.

That was my goal 20 years ago!! Then after my PhD I got a research position at NASA. I worked there for 6 months and moved to oil and gas. Even back then they paid twice as much for nearly the same type of work. I think I make more than twice my experience level at NASA even now - and I have a ton more in savings, sent my kids to nice private schools, have a ski and beach condo, etc. NASA is just a brand, like Exxon, but doesn't offer anything tangible, like energy.

How would you help him reach his goal? He is a math fanatic and wants to study physics in college. He got a nearly perfect score on both the SAT and ACT. This is a kid who spends his free time watching science videos or spending hours upon hours escaping into his own world of thinking about the universe/space.

Does he need to do certain activities? Should he attend certain schools?

His goal is NASA or conducting research.

Thanks for any guidance.