Key points
- Our Undergraduate Vacation Studentship gives students the opportunity to collaborate with our leading researchers and use our world-class facilities.
- During the Australian summer, participants work on real projects in science, technology, and related fields.
- Students working on space and astronomy projects shared their unexpected and memorable experiences in the program.
Every summer, university students have a unique opportunity to work alongside leading researchers and use our world-class facilities through our Undergraduate Vacation Studentship. Over 8-12 weeks, they gain hands-on experience, contributing to real projects in science, technology, and related fields such as science communication.
While the program provides valuable technical skills, it’s the unexpected and memorable experiences beyond the science that truly make it special.
We spoke with a few students working on space and astronomy projects during the summer. They shared some of the unexpected moments that made their time in the program really memorable.
Marvels of engineering
Most students enter the program anticipating the chance to work on cutting-edge research with advanced technology. However, witnessing this technology in action often catches them by surprise.
This was certainly the case for Catherine Smith, a student based at the Canberra Deep Space Communication Centre (CDSCC) in Tidbinbilla, Australian Capital Territory. CSIRO manages CDSCC on behalf of NASA.
Catherine climbed Deep Space Station 43 (DSS-43), the largest antenna at the CDSCC. With its 70-meter dish, DSS-43 is the largest steerable single-dish antenna in the Southern Hemisphere and the only one on Earth capable of communicating with NASA’s Voyager 2.
“It’s the first antenna you see when you drive in, and even from the car, it’s incredibly impressive,” Catherine said.
“But climbing the maze of stairs and ladders really gives you a true sense of what a feat of engineering the antenna is.”
Once on the receiver turret inside the dish, Catherine was struck by the view.
“You can just barely see the hills over the edge, but the first thing you notice is how warm and bright it is, particularly on a summer day,” Catherine said.
The sheer effort that went into both engineering the dish and the science behind its operation left Catherine feeling inspired.
“We did three asteroid observation runs with DSS-43 while working on my project and getting to see the antenna up close really helped me appreciate how much effort goes into gathering that data.”
Friendships formed
In addition to the scientific work, a common thread among all the vacation students was the lasting friendships they formed throughout the program.
Mac Button, a vacation student working from our Kensington office in Western Australia, spoke warmly about the strong bonds she developed with fellow Perth-based students.
“Everyone says that it’s about the friends you make along the way, and for us in Kensington, that was definitely true,” Mac said.
One evening, the five Kensington-based students ventured on a tour of a local animal rehabilitation centre after work, and it was there that their friendships deepened.
“We spent the evening together, saying ‘aww’ a million times over all the cuddly marsupials and playfully competing about who spotted which animal first,” Mac recalled.
“We saw owls up close and echidnas enjoying their dinner. My favourite part was pointing at the animals and joking, ‘That one’s older than you!’”
Reflecting on the experience, Mac shared how their connections grew into something special.
“To be honest, none of us expected to form such strong friendships with the other students, but we’re incredibly grateful that we did,” Mac shared.
“Nothing bonds friends like sharing our favourite obscure astronomy facts with one another.”
A home away from home
For many students, relocating for the program means finding a temporary home for the duration of their projects. For some of the students based in Marsfield, a suburb of Sydney, that home was ‘The Lodge.’
Tucked away on-site at our Marsfield facilities, The Lodge provides a convenient place to stay for staff, astronomers, collaborators, and students. With seven bedrooms, each with ensuite bathrooms, along with a communal lounge, fully equipped kitchen, and laundry, The Lodge has everything needed for a comfortable stay.
For Angela Sojan, The Lodge quickly became one of the standout highlights of her experience.
“It was so beautiful and peaceful, and it really made me feel at ease while working on my project” Angela said.
Angela gives a lot of credit to the efforts of the Visitor Services Group, who went out of their way to make her stay at The Lodge as comfortable as possible.
“The Visitor Services Group did everything they could to make The Lodge feel like home,” Angela recalled.
“They even made sure to ask me about my favourite cereal, ‘Nutri-Grain,’ and fully stocked the kitchen with it!”
Angela wasn’t the only student staying at The Lodge – she shared the space with a few others, and together they formed a close-knit group.
“It was so much fun being housemates with the other students,” Angela said.
“We would bake together, debrief about our weekends, and spend our nights playing games.”
“Staying at The Lodge was truly a core memory!”
As the Undergraduate Vacation Studentship program wraps up each year, participants leave with more than just valuable technical skills – they take with them unforgettable experiences and long-lasting memories.
Whether it’s standing at the top of iconic antennas, forging bonds with fellow students, or finding a home away from home, the program offers experiences beyond research.