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Summer Internships in Parallel Computational Science (SIParCS) program

 
 
2007 SIParCS interns

These interns worked at NCAR in the mutually beneficial SIParCS program. The CISL-based SIParCS program challenges students in applied mathematics and computational science to help solve real-world problems associated with CISL's mission to support the atmospheric and related sciences. The students gain valuable work experience, and CISL is cultivating a skilled workforce for future supercomputing centers.

From left to right are Ryan O. Kuinghttons, Colorado School of Mines; Victor Snyder, Colorado School of Mines; Kenny Gruchalla, University of Colorado; Michael Levy, University of Colorado; Arunasalam Rahuynanthan, University of Wyoming; Matthew Norman, North Carolina State University; Robert House, University of Colorado.
 

The Summer Internships in Parallel Computational Science (SIParCS) program is a prototype partnership between NCAR's Computational and Information Systems Laboratory (CISL) and selected universities. SIParCS is sponsored and administered by CISL to provide opportunities for exceptional students with backgrounds in computational science, applied mathematics, computer science, or the computational geosciences. SIParCS is designed to broaden their experience by working on projects with mentors from CISL's staff.

The program represents a formalization of CISL's summer internship efforts, and it offers a significant opportunity to make a positive impact on the quality and diversity of the workforce needed to use and operate 21st century supercomputers. Ultimately, SIParCS aspires to help address shortages of trained scientists and engineers capable of using and maintaining high-end computer and data systems—people desperately needed to achieve the goals of future computational geoscience research. In return, SIParCS provides a framework for interns to gain practical experience with a wide variety of parallel computational science problems by working with the HPC systems and applications relevant to NCAR's Earth System science mission.

SIParCS supports NCAR's strategic priorities of "Supporting and enhancing formal science education," "Maintaining an innovative and creative workplace," and "Conducting computer science, computational science, applied mathematics, statistics, and numerical methods R&D."

In 2007, seven interns were invited based on recommendations from selected academic advisors. The students come from the University of Colorado, Colorado School of Mines, the University of Wyoming, and North Carolina State University. Each student's skill set was matched with an appropriate project within the lab. During the summer, the students worked one-on-one with volunteer mentors from across CISL, including the Operations and Services Division, Technology Development Division, and the Institute for Mathematics Applied to Geosciences (IMAGe). One student was mentored by a scientist in NCAR's Climate and Global Dynamics Division.

The summer program lasted for 10 to 12 weeks. The internship includes a stipend, and out-of-state interns receive travel and housing assistance as well.

CISL places a high priority on these summer internships and will continue to develop the program in coming years. In 2008, CISL plans to further broaden the candidate pool by running an open solicitation for all positions.

SIParCS is made possible by NSF Core funding.