Scheck Hillel Student Completes Prestigious NASA Internship Through School's Experiential Learning Program

Scheck Hillel Community School is thrilled to announce that one of our students, Benjamin Herschman ’25, has successfully completed an elite summer internship with NASA, thanks to guidance from our Experiential Learning and Internship Coordinator, Ms. Florez and from Ms. Penchev, our Technology Coordinator.

When Benjamin sought assistance for a potential internship, he could not have predicted that he would land one of the most competitive opportunities available to students nationwide. His distinct academic background made him a prime candidate: Benjamin's enthusiasm for biomedical science ignited in Grade 8 when he clinched a regional gold medal for his innovative science project, "Harnessing Renewable Energy Source From Biomass." Fast-forward to high school, he broadened his skill set by enrolling in Engineering Honors classes and excelling in Biology Honors, Chemistry Honors, and AP Physics. His academic strengths, coupled with a strong recommendation from his physics teacher, Dr. Koures, led to his acceptance into NASA's Earth Systems Explorer program.

"As one of 190 students selected nationally, and one of the youngest in his cohort, Benjamin truly embodies the spirit of academic excellence we cultivate at Scheck Hillel," said Craig Carpentieri, Chief Academic Officer.

During his internship, Benjamin was exposed to cutting-edge Earth and space research, including interpreting NASA satellite data. He collaborated with leading scientists and engineers while studying modules in satellite, atmospheric, and environmental science. For his closing project, Benjamin and his team successfully coded land cover data for areas that conventional satellites could not reach. In his words, "Essentially, we created a GPS for the grids we analyzed."

Now in his junior year at Scheck Hillel, Benjamin is enrolled in a roster of advanced courses such as AP Calculus BC, AP Computer Science Principles, and AP Physics II, in alignment with his goal to pursue engineering in college.  

Kol Hakavod, Benjamin! Your achievement sets an example for your peers and underscores the limitless possibilities that a Scheck Hillel education can offer.