A closer look: Remote internships during COVID-19 times*

The COVID-19 pandemic completely halted normal life/activities worldwide & our research internships were no exception which were conducted fully remotely in both 2020 & 2021. Along with real-world challenges, fully remote research must contend with IT issues, a lack of face-to-face guidance, lack of equipment, housing, etc.  Remarkably, our student interns have successfully adapted to the new work environment. Ensuring support & prioritizing the physical & mental safety of our participants, while providing an enriching internship experience, are of utmost importance for the Science Education team at PPPL. We’ll show the impact that COVID-19 has had on our programs & how we successfully achieved a meaningful experience for students, mentors, & administrators alike.