Mechanical Engineering student April Rivera has had many opportunities to learn beyond the classroom. An undergraduate student, April has already participated in a co-op three times at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. She plans to return next summer.

"Everything I'm learning at school actually does apply to the real world," said April. "I've become more outspoken because I have been put in situations where I have had to explain my results…I also have given various tours around the facilities and have learned more about engineering and NASA, in general."

During her co-op experiences, April has learned a variety of aspects of engineering, including design and analysis. She expects to graduate with her bachelor's degree in 2012 and hopes to continue her education in graduate school.