NASA is messing with me again. Now they’re offering a semester-long scholars program directly aimed at all of us former science geeks.

45 lucky community college students will be selected for this program, which includes an on-site event at the Johnson Space Center in Houston from May 20-22 in 2010. NASA will even pay the travel expenses to get them there!

Once at the center, the 45 students will get to work with real NASA engineers and set up fictitious companies for Mars exploration that will developing and design a prototype Mars rover.

This just ain’t right. My college classes were never this entertaining educational.

Students in community and junior colleges can apply online at NASA’s National Community College Aerospace Scholars program. According to a press release, all applications are due no later than December 15 of this year. “To be eligible, students must be U.S. citizens enrolled at a community or junior college with an interest in science, technology, engineering, or math. Additionally, students must have access to the Internet and e-mail and be able to commit to full participation in the program, including a three-day residence at Johnson from May 20-22, 2010.”

I wonder if by “enrolled at a community or junior college” they would be OK with “a guy who just appeared at a community or junior college to audit a class last week”. Hmmmm…..