The United States runs half of the International Space Station as a national laboratory. NASA and the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS) make that possible.
This partnership opens up some wild opportunities for American companies, universities, and government agencies. They get to run experiments you just can’t do on the ground.
The ISS National Laboratory stands as America’s only platform for microgravity research. NASA gives 50% of U.S. research time to exploration missions, while CASIS manages the rest for commercial and academic projects.
This setup basically turns the space station into a business incubator for American companies. More than 700 payloads sponsored by the ISS National Lab have launched. These missions have actually generated $2.1 billion in funding for startups after they got back to Earth.
Microgravity lets researchers push boundaries in all kinds of fields:
Scientists get to see how cells, materials, and chemical processes work when gravity isn’t in the way. The results? You just can’t get them in a regular lab.
NASA forms the backbone of ISS research with crew operations, transportation, and basic facilities. The agency organizes launches through Commercial Resupply Services and keeps experiments safe.
CASIS acts as the matchmaker between researchers and space. They review proposals, connect scientists with implementation partners, and help projects get from idea to launch.
Implementation Partners are the glue in this system. These companies turn ground-based research into spaceflight-ready experiments. They build hardware, run safety tests, and manage things during missions.
American universities jump in with fundamental science investigations. They also train students who’ll be the next generation of space researchers—pretty important, honestly.
Private companies are jumping on board too. Pharma companies grow protein crystals for new drugs, and manufacturers test materials in space to see how they hold up.
American ISS research feeds right into NASA’s deep space exploration goals. Scientists test life support systems, study how humans adapt to microgravity, and develop tech for lunar and Mars missions.
The station acts as a proving ground for commercial space capabilities. Companies get to demo new technologies in space before they send them on independent missions or future stations.
Research partnerships stretch America’s influence in global space exploration. Through the ISS, the U.S. builds scientific ties with Russia, Europe, Japan, Canada, and others.
Data from ISS experiments shapes spacecraft design for future missions. Medical research helps engineers figure out countermeasures for long-duration flights, and materials testing leads to better spacecraft.
The ISS platform has generated more than 350 peer-reviewed scientific publications. These discoveries push forward both space exploration and real-world applications in medicine, manufacturing, and tech.
NASA and CASIS team up to coordinate all ISS research activities. CASIS manages the U.S. National Lab part, while NASA handles technical operations and crew support.
CASIS runs the ISS National Laboratory as its designated manager. They fund research grants so scientists can get their work into the microgravity environment.
CASIS pays staff to handle the daily operations of the National Lab. That means coordinating with researchers and scheduling experiments.
The center zeroes in on commercial research. They work with private companies to develop products that benefit from microgravity.
NASA handles the actual transportation of research materials to and from the station. CASIS plans and integrates experiments once they’re in orbit.
This partnership gives researchers access to space-based testing without needing to figure out all the mission details themselves. CASIS bridges the gap between science and space operations.
NASA keeps direct control over ISS technical operations and safety. The Space Station Research and Technology Organization offers recommendations to station managers.
The agency spends about $4.1 billion each year on ISS operations and research. That’s 16 percent of NASA’s total budget.
Key NASA responsibilities:
NASA’s Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate oversees all station activities. The Marshall Space Flight Center manages science ops from the ground.
The agency sets research timelines for critical health studies and tech demos. Mission managers work with international partners to make the most of research opportunities.
SpaceX handles cargo deliveries under NASA’s Commercial Resupply Program. They move research equipment and samples between Earth and the ISS.
Private companies can buy research time through CASIS partnerships. This setup cuts costs for commercial investigators and brings in revenue for station operations.
NASA wants more commercial participation to pave the way for private station management in the future. The agency plans to eventually hand ISS operations over to commercial entities.
Current partnership perks:
Companies like SpaceX show how private industry can support government research. These partnerships lay the groundwork for future space-based research platforms.
The ISS supports research in three main disciplines that drive scientific discovery and commercial space development. Investigations stretch from biological studies that improve human health to technology demonstrations prepping spacecraft for deep space.
Life sciences research on the ISS digs into how microgravity changes human biology and living systems. These studies give us crucial data for long spaceflights and medical breakthroughs back home.
Biomedical Research looks at bone density loss, muscle atrophy, and cardiovascular changes astronauts face. Scientists track how the body adapts to weightlessness during months in orbit. This info helps develop countermeasures for Mars missions.
Cell and Tissue Studies focus on how microgravity changes cellular behavior. Cancer cells, stem cells, and tissue cultures just act differently in space. These experiments push drug development and regenerative medicine forward.
Plant Biology research tests how crops grow without gravity. NASA grows wheat, radishes, and other plants to support future space farming. These findings also help boost crop yields and sustainability on Earth.
Physical sciences research uses the ISS as a lab where gravity doesn’t mess with experiments. NASA’s Physical Sciences Research Program runs investigations that uncover new science and improve manufacturing.
Materials Science experiments look at how metals, crystals, and other materials form without gravity. These studies create stronger alloys and more perfect crystals than what you get on Earth.
Combustion Research explores how flames behave in microgravity. Fire burns differently in space—cool blue spheres instead of the usual flicker. This research helps make engines more efficient and cuts down pollution.
Fluid Physics examines how liquids move and act without gravity. Scientists study surface tension, phase changes, and mixing. These experiments help advance pharmaceutical and industrial processes.
Technology development on the ISS puts new systems and equipment to the test for future space missions. These demos prove out tech before it goes on expensive deep space missions.
Life Support Systems testing checks out air recycling, water purification, and waste processing gear. The ISS is the perfect place to try out environmental control systems for lunar and Mars bases.
Robotic Systems demos cover new robotic arms, autonomous vehicles, and AI tools. These technologies will build future spacecraft and keep equipment running on distant worlds.
Communications Technology experiments test new satellite systems, laser comms, and navigation tools. The ISS proves these systems work in the harsh space environment before they’re used for commercial operations.
The weightless environment aboard the International Space Station creates research conditions that just aren’t possible on Earth. This persistent microgravity lets scientists see how materials behave without gravity getting in the way.
Microgravity changes how matter behaves in space. Without gravity, liquids become perfect spheres instead of settling at the bottom. Crystals grow bigger and more uniform than they do on Earth.
Researchers study pure physics without gravity messing things up. Flames burn as perfect spheres in microgravity, and they’re cooler and cleaner than on Earth. This work helps engineers design better combustion systems for vehicles and power plants.
Biological samples act differently in weightlessness. Cells grow in three dimensions, not just flat layers. Protein crystals get better structure, which helps scientists figure out diseases and make new medicines.
No buoyancy-driven convection means heat and mass transfer happen in new ways. Scientists get to watch these processes in their purest form on the ISS.
Earth’s gravity creates effects that hide important scientific processes. Sedimentation causes heavy stuff to sink, light stuff to rise. Convection stirs up fluids and can mess up delicate experiments.
Researchers on Earth try to get around gravity with centrifuges, drop towers, or parabolic flights. But those only give seconds or minutes of microgravity.
The ISS offers persistent microgravity for months or even years. Scientists can study long-term processes like crystal growth or cell cycles without gravity interfering. Experiments run continuously and don’t get disrupted.
Temperature gradients work differently in space. Heat moves by conduction and radiation, not convection. This means more even heating for materials research.
The ISS National Lab gives researchers specialized gear for microgravity experiments. Multiple research racks house experiments in carefully controlled environments.
The Materials Science Research Rack supports studies of metals, alloys, and ceramics. The Combustion Integrated Rack lets scientists run safe flame experiments inside the station. These racks have high-res cameras and sensors to track everything.
Transport phenomena studies use the station’s unique setting to see how materials move and mix. Scientists examine how fluids behave when gravity isn’t pulling on them.
Ground teams on Earth monitor experiments remotely. Real-time data transmission lets researchers tweak experiments from the ground. This setup squeezes the most out of every experiment slot on the ISS.
Thousands of researchers from universities, companies, and government agencies tap into the station’s microgravity capabilities. The platform really is a hub for breakthrough science.
The ISS is an unmatched lab for studying how the human body reacts to space. Scientists dive into groundbreaking research on cellular behavior, stem cell development, and physiological changes that come with spaceflight.
Microgravity changes how cells grow and act. Scientists have found that cancer cells can grow differently in space, sometimes making them more vulnerable to treatment.
Researchers study how T cells work in microgravity to develop better immunotherapy treatments. These white blood cells are key for fighting cancer and autoimmune diseases back on Earth.
Recent ISS experiments cover:
The ISS gives researchers a chance to watch cellular processes that just aren’t possible to study on Earth. Results from this work directly improve medical treatments for patients.
NASA partners with medical centers to test new cancer therapies using tissue samples grown in space. This research feeds into the Cancer Moonshot initiative and better treatment options for the future.
Stem cell research stands out as one of the most promising areas on the ISS for biological investigation. In microgravity, these cells grow into more realistic 3D structures that actually mimic human tissue better than what we get on Earth.
Scientists use induced pluripotent stem cells to grow cardiac spheroids for heart disease studies. In space, these tissues develop blood vessels more effectively than the ones grown on the ground.
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center runs regenerative medicine studies that focus on manufacturing stem cells in space. Their work builds on earlier missions that already showed success on the station.
Researchers also create organoids from patient tumor cells to test out personalized cancer treatments. These mini-organs help figure out which therapies might work best for different patients.
Key advantages of space-based stem cell research:
Astronauts often experience vision changes during long missions. Spaceflight Associated Neuro-ocular Syndrome, or SANS, affects almost everyone who spends a long time in orbit.
Researchers track how microgravity impacts eye pressure, optic nerve swelling, and vision clarity. They use advanced imaging tools to monitor these changes throughout the mission.
Physical adaptations include:
NASA scientists study these responses to protect astronaut health, especially for future Mars missions. Their findings help develop treatments for age-related conditions back on Earth, too.
Rodent studies on the ISS give us a window into human aging and disease development. These animals go through similar biological changes as humans do in microgravity.
Medical monitoring gear tracks heart function, sleep, and cognitive performance during missions. All this data helps optimize health protocols for the growing commercial space tourism industry.
Materials science experiments in microgravity have revealed new ways to create stronger alloys and cleaner crystals. Combustion research in space, without gravity’s interference, leads to more efficient engines and cleaner burning fuels.
NASA’s physical sciences research really changes how we understand materials in space. Microgravity removes buoyancy and sedimentation effects that mess up experiments on Earth.
Metal alloys act differently without gravity. Scientists can create uniform mixtures that would normally separate back home. These experiments have produced stronger, lighter metals for building spacecraft.
Crystal growth in space is something else. Physical sciences experiments show that proteins and semiconductors form with fewer defects in microgravity. The crystals get larger and more perfect than anything grown on Earth.
Foam science in space gives us new insights into material structure. Scientists watch how bubbles and foams behave when gravity isn’t pulling them apart. This helps develop better fire suppression systems and new construction materials.
Technology development gets a boost from materials research on the station. Companies use these findings to improve medical devices, electronics, and even car parts.
Flames behave in surprising ways in space—no gravity means no teardrop shapes. Physical sciences research on combustion produces nearly spherical flame balls that burn cooler and cleaner than flames on Earth.
Microgravity combustion studies improve fuel efficiency. Researchers find that flames can burn with less oxygen and produce fewer pollutants. This could help engineers design cleaner engines and industrial burners.
Fluid behavior changes a lot without gravity. Liquids form perfect spheres and flow in ways we just don’t see on Earth. Scientists study how heat moves through fluids when convection currents disappear.
NASA runs experiments on surface tension and capillary action in space. Water acts like thick syrup, sticking to surfaces in unexpected ways. This research helps design better fuel systems for future spacecraft.
Advanced combustion experiments test out new engine designs. Researchers burn different fuel mixtures to look for cleaner options for rockets and aircraft. The results guide technology development for more efficient propulsion.
The ISS is a one-of-a-kind lab where companies develop manufacturing processes that just aren’t possible on Earth. They also advance robotic systems for future space missions. These breakthroughs directly benefit commercial spaceflight and create new tech for industries back home.
On the ISS, microgravity lets researchers make materials with properties you just can’t get on Earth. Companies team up with NASA to test ways to manufacture fiber optics, semiconductors, and advanced alloys.
Space eliminates gravity’s defects in materials production. That means stronger metals and purer crystals. Some companies have already grown protein crystals in space that are larger and more perfect than anything made on Earth.
Key manufacturing areas include:
SpaceX regularly sends up manufacturing equipment on cargo missions. These experiments help companies figure out how to scale up production for future commercial space stations.
Results from ISS manufacturing tests shape the design of automated production facilities for lunar and Mars missions.
The ISS hosts some pretty advanced robotic systems that test out tech for future space exploration and commercial work. NASA operates robotic arms that show off precise manipulation in space.
Robotic experiments on the station test autonomous systems that repair spacecraft and assemble structures—no humans needed. These robots use artificial intelligence to respond to changing conditions and unexpected problems.
Current robotic capabilities include:
Companies develop robotic systems on the ISS that will support commercial space tourism. These robots can do safety checks, handle cargo, and even help with passenger operations.
The station’s robotic testbed gives engineers a chance to refine control systems before using them on expensive commercial missions.
ISS technologies end up creating valuable applications for Earth industries. Medical monitoring systems built for astronauts now help doctors track patients from afar.
Water purification systems designed for the station provide clean drinking water in remote places. Air filtration tech from the ISS improves indoor air quality in buildings and vehicles.
Earth applications include:
NASA teams up with private companies to bring space technologies to commercial markets. This process creates new businesses and jobs while solving problems on Earth.
The ISS National Laboratory offers up to $650,000 for technology projects with real commercial potential. Companies use these grants to test out ideas that might become profitable products.
The International Space Station orbits about 250 miles above us, giving NASA and its partners a prime spot to study Earth’s atmosphere, weather patterns, and lightning. Its low orbit lets the station pass over 90% of the world’s populated areas several times a day.
NASA uses the ISS’s unique orbit to carry out continuous Earth monitoring that regular satellites can’t quite match. The station’s low altitude means better image resolution than most Earth observation satellites.
The ISS travels over different regions at different times of day, not just the same spots at the same time like sun-synchronous satellites. This gives researchers a look at changing light and weather throughout each 90-minute orbit.
Key monitoring capabilities include:
The station can hold about two dozen Earth observation instruments at once. Scientists use hyperspectral imaging systems to detect wavelengths beyond visible light, letting them study atmospheric gases and temperature changes.
ISS imaging has helped disaster recovery efforts, like after the 2011 Japanese tsunami, and tracked glacier movements that raised avalanche risks.
Lightning research from the ISS gives scientists an unobstructed view of electrical activity in Earth’s upper atmosphere—something ground-based tools just can’t do. The station’s position above weather systems lets it document lightning strikes and related phenomena clearly.
NASA instruments on the ISS capture detailed images and data about lightning formation, intensity, and distribution across the globe. This research helps improve weather prediction and severe storm tracking.
Atmospheric monitoring gear on the station tracks temperature changes, gas concentrations, and particle movement in the upper layers. These measurements feed into climate research and help us understand how our atmosphere changes over time.
Research teams use the ISS to test new atmospheric sensors before sending them up on dedicated satellites. The station acts as a proving ground for prototype sensors that will shape future space-based atmospheric missions.
NASA opened the ISS for commercial ventures, giving private companies a shot at research and manufacturing in space. Both big aerospace firms and startups now use the ISS as a testbed for products and services that could help industries back on Earth.
Private companies partner with NASA through the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS) to run research on the ISS. CASIS manages the National Lab part of the station and connects businesses with microgravity research opportunities.
Manufacturing and Materials Research leads the way in commercial ISS projects. Companies test new materials, drug development, and manufacturing methods that work better in zero gravity. Pharmaceutical companies use space to create better medicines.
Tech companies also develop new products on the station. They test everything from computer systems to communication devices in the tough space environment, which helps make more reliable products for Earth.
Small businesses and entrepreneurs now access space research through simpler programs. NASA made it easier for companies to send experiments to the ISS. The agency wants to be just one customer in a broader commercial space market.
Research projects stick to practical applications. Companies study how microgravity affects crystal growth, protein formation, and metal alloys. These studies lead to better products in electronics, healthcare, and manufacturing.
SpaceX changed how cargo gets to the ISS with its Commercial Resupply Services program. The company’s Dragon spacecraft delivers supplies, equipment, and research to astronauts on the station.
Falcon 9 rockets launch Dragon capsules several times a year. Each mission brings food, water, science gear, and commercial research to the ISS. The rockets land back on Earth for reuse, which really cuts down costs.
SpaceX works alongside other partners in NASA’s resupply program. The company competes with traditional aerospace contractors but keeps a regular delivery schedule to the station.
Commercial crew missions are another huge SpaceX achievement. The Crew Dragon spacecraft now carries astronauts to and from the ISS, ending U.S. reliance on Russian Soyuz vehicles. This gives American researchers more time in space.
This partnership works for both NASA and SpaceX. NASA gets reliable cargo delivery, while SpaceX gains experience for future commercial space stations. Private astronaut missions now use similar spacecraft for research and tourism trips to the ISS.
The International Space Station exists because NASA, Roscosmos, the European Space Agency, Japan’s JAXA, and the Canadian Space Agency all decided to join forces. This partnership brings together resources and research from all over the world, pushing space exploration and scientific discovery further than any one country could manage.
Astronauts from 18 different countries come together on the International Space Station to run experiments in microgravity. You’ll find crew members from all over working side by side on projects that end up helping everyone involved.
Multi-national crew rotations keep an international presence on the station at all times. American astronauts often find themselves working closely with Russian cosmonauts, Europeans, and Japanese crew members—sometimes all at once.
Researchers from different space agencies often team up. NASA scientists and European researchers work together on protein crystallization, while Japanese teams collaborate with Americans on materials science.
The station acts as a proving ground for future deep space missions. International partners share data about how long-duration spaceflight affects the human body. This research feeds right into plans for lunar missions and, eventually, Mars.
Every partner brings unique hardware and skills to the table. Russia sends up Soyuz spacecraft for crew rides and Progress vehicles for cargo.
The European Space Agency provides the Columbus lab module and automated transfer vehicles. Japan chips in with the Kibo lab and advanced robotic systems.
The Japanese Experiment Module is packed with research facilities that everyone uses. Canada’s Canadarm2 robotic system is absolutely essential for station assembly and maintenance. That robotic arm helps dock spacecraft and supports astronauts during spacewalks.
European partners contribute specialized gear and experiment setups. Germany, France, and Italy send up scientific instruments that American researchers use all the time.
These international contributions help NASA keep costs down and expand research in ways that would be impossible for just one country.
The ISS National Laboratory keeps expanding into biotechnology, materials science, and Earth observation. It’s still the best testbed for deep space exploration technologies. NASA keeps its focus on research that supports commercial space growth and future missions to the Moon and Mars.
Tissue engineering and regenerative medicine are big priorities for the ISS National Lab. Scientists put tissue chips—tiny models of human organs—through experiments in microgravity. These studies help develop new treatments for diseases back home and show how the body reacts to long-term spaceflight.
Protein crystal growth is another huge focus. Crystals grown in space often turn out bigger and more organized than anything made on Earth. This boosts drug discovery and improves pharmaceutical manufacturing.
Materials science research up there tests out new manufacturing processes. The ISS hosts additive manufacturing experiments that could change how astronauts make tools and equipment during long missions. That’s a big deal for both commercial space and future exploration.
The station covers a lot of ground, including:
NASA uses the ISS to test out tech needed for deep space. The station gives engineers a safe place to try out life support systems, communication gear, and science instruments before sending them to the Moon or Mars.
Space exploration research digs into how microgravity affects human health. Scientists look at bone loss, muscle atrophy, and changes in the immune system. This info helps NASA figure out how to keep astronauts healthy on the way to Mars.
Technology development on the ISS means testing advanced spacesuits, habitat systems, and resource utilization gear. These experiments prove out tech that’ll support lunar bases and Mars settlements.
Research on the station backs up NASA’s Artemis program. Scientists test plant growth systems for future lunar greenhouses and check out radiation shielding materials for spacecraft and habitats outside Earth’s magnetosphere.
The International Space Station stands as America’s main microgravity research hub. It lets scientists dive into medicine, technology, and basic science in ways you just can’t do on Earth.
US researchers run experiments up there that end up helping both space exploration and life back home.
NASA zeroes in on four main research areas on the ISS. Human research for future deep space missions, fundamental physics experiments, tech demonstrations, and Earth observation studies all make the list.
The agency runs protein crystal growth experiments to get a better look at molecular structures. Scientists also study how plants grow in microgravity—definitely important if we’re ever going to Mars. Materials science research checks out how metals and alloys behave without gravity.
Testing new equipment and systems in space is another big deal. NASA tries out life support systems, comms devices, and navigation tools on the ISS before using them on future missions.
Earth and climate science experiments let us keep an eye on the planet from above. Researchers track weather, disasters, and environmental changes, which helps improve climate models and disaster response.
Microgravity changes the game for studying human biology and disease. Cells grow differently in space, so researchers can see processes that just don’t show up on Earth.
Drug development gets a boost from protein crystallization. Proteins form bigger, more perfect crystals in microgravity, which helps scientists understand their structure and make better meds.
Tissue engineering research looks at how organs and tissues develop without gravity. Scientists grow heart tissue, liver cells, and bone samples to study disease. This work leads to new treatments for cancer, heart disease, and bone loss.
The ISS hosts studies on aging and muscle loss. Astronauts lose bone and muscle at a rate similar to elderly patients on Earth, so researchers test exercise gear and medications to fight these changes.
Cancer research also takes advantage of microgravity. Tumor cells behave differently in space, which sometimes reveals new insights about how cancer grows and spreads.
NASA’s advanced life support systems have come a long way thanks to ISS research. Their Environmental Control and Life Support System recycles air and water with about 93% efficiency—vital for Mars trips.
Astronauts have refined 3D printing technology on the station. They print tools and parts in space, which cuts down on supply missions. Now, the printers work with metals and advanced materials too.
Robotic systems have gotten a serious upgrade thanks to ISS work. The Canadarm2 and SSRMS handle delicate tasks, and their success helps guide the design of future planetary rovers and robots.
Communication systems get a workout on the ISS. NASA tests high-speed data links and laser comms in space, which improves satellite internet and deep space communication.
Fire safety research has led to new suppression systems. Flames act weird in microgravity, so studying them there leads to better fire prevention for both spacecraft and Earth.
Microgravity wipes out density-driven separation in fluid experiments. Scientists finally get to study pure fluid dynamics without gravity in the way. That helps us understand combustion, heat transfer, and mixing.
Crystal growth experiments in space turn out higher quality results. Semiconductor and protein crystals form with fewer defects, which is great for electronics and pharmaceuticals.
Cell cultures grow in three dimensions instead of just flat layers. This makes for more realistic tissue models for drug testing and disease research. Scientists spot cellular behaviors that just don’t show up on Earth.
Combustion studies reveal flame structures you’d never see with gravity. Flames burn cooler and cleaner, which could lead to better engines and cleaner fuels.
Materials processing up there lets molten metals float free, so they don’t touch the sides of containers. That keeps samples pure and lets scientists study material properties without contamination.
The Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer stands out as a huge international physics project. NASA leads, but 16 countries help search for dark matter and antimatter in cosmic rays.
NASA and the European Space Agency team up on protein crystallization research. They share data and coordinate schedules to get the most out of every experiment.
Japanese researchers work with US scientists on materials science. The Japanese Experiment Module houses US-designed furnaces and processing equipment.
Medical research often involves astronauts from different countries. This diversity gives studies a wider genetic background.
Earth observation projects combine data from US and international instruments. Scientists from all over analyze climate data collected by the station’s sensors.
Technology demonstrations frequently use shared resources. International partners test equipment on US modules, and NASA runs experiments using international facilities.
Universities all over the US get their hands on ISS research data for student projects. NASA actually hands out these datasets to colleges, so students can dig in and use them for analysis or even just basic classroom lessons.
Students get to explore space science with real experimental results, which is honestly more exciting than just reading from a textbook.
Pharmaceutical companies grab protein structure data from ISS experiments. They use this info to speed up drug development and cut down on research costs.
Some medications have already improved thanks to protein studies done in space.
Materials companies dive into ISS metallurgy research to tweak their manufacturing processes. Zero-gravity studies show the best ways to create stronger alloys and composites—stuff that’s not always obvious back on Earth.
Agricultural researchers take plant growth studies from space and use them to develop drought-resistant crops. These findings help create more efficient growing systems for farmers here at home.
Technology companies run with ISS innovations, turning them into things we actually use. Water recycling systems, air purification tech, and even some medical devices have made their way into hospitals and sometimes even our own homes.
NASA’s educational outreach programs bring ISS science straight to K-12 classrooms. They offer curriculum materials and sometimes even live chats with astronauts, which can be pretty inspiring for students who might dream of a career in science.
