Annual Ames Summer Picnic, Car and Motorcycle Show

This summer, our NASA internship team had the incredible opportunity to step away from our desks and dive into a day of fun, learning, and new connections at the Annual Ames Summer Picnic and Car and Motorcycle Show.

The event was packed with activities that let us experience a different side of NASA Ames Research Center. We got a firsthand look at a variety of unique cars and motorcycles on display — from classic rides to futuristic designs, each with its own story to tell.

One of the highlights was joining the local fire department to practice extinguishing fires. It was exciting (and a bit nerve-wracking) to suit up and learn what it takes to stay calm under pressure. We also watched live robotics demonstrations that sparked new ideas and reminded us of why we love working in science and technology.

Beyond the activities, this picnic was a chance to connect with other interns who came from all over the country. Sharing stories about our projects and the different research happening at Ames gave us fresh perspectives on how big and diverse NASA’s work really is.

Days like this remind us that even as interns, we’re part of something much bigger — a community that encourages curiosity, collaboration, and fun. We can’t wait to take what we learned back to our teams and keep exploring all summer long!