(EL PASO INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT – Aug. 12, 2025) — Young Women’s STEAM Research & Preparatory Academy senior Catherine Cardenas spent her summer reaching for the stars… and got a little closer to them through a competitive NASA internship.
Cardenas was one of only 95 students nationwide selected from a pool of more than 3,000 applicants for NASA’s five-week virtual summer research program. Guided by NASA scientists and engineers, participants collaborated on real-world projects that combined hands-on activities and expert presentations.
Working alongside her peers, Cardenas focused her research on the Urban Heat Island effect which is a phenomenon in which urban areas experience higher temperatures than surrounding rural regions due to human activity and infrastructure. The experience not only deepened her scientific knowledge but also strengthened her teamwork, problem-solving, and data analysis skills.
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"Interning for NASA was an incredible and eye opening experience," Cardenas said. “It's just a reminder that whatever your goal is, no matter how crazy, you can always reach it."
Since opening in 2017, Young Women’s STEAM Academy has been dedicated to empowering young women through rigorous academics, leadership development, and hands-on learning. As the district’s only single-gender campus and the first single-gender New Tech Network Academy in the nation, the school offers a unique environment where students can explore science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics with confidence and curiosity.
Principal Dr. Cynthia Ontiveros praised Cardenas for her achievement. “Catherine’s selection for this prestigious NASA program is a testament to her dedication, intellect, and the strength of our STEAM-focused education,” she said. “We are so proud to see our students not only meeting but exceeding their goals.”
Cardenas now sets her sights on college, where she plans to major in mechanical engineering and carrying with her the knowledge, mentorship, and inspiration gained from her NASA experience.