The emergence of technologies such as mobile devices, web-based analytical tools, social media platforms, open data and cloud computing have the potential to enable broader participation in science research experiences. We discuss how these capabilities were combined with a citizen science app and e-learning modalities to pilot a scalable model to extend the reach of an established high school internship program. STEM Enhancement in Earth Science High School Summer Intern Program is a nationally competitive program. In 2019, more than 600 qualified students applied for 50 positions. Those who were not selected were offered the opportunity to participate in a virtual cohort working with the GLOBE Mission Mosquito science team. Over 100 students elected to take part in the Mosquito Mappers virtual internship. A recently published meta-analysis of European citizen science projects demonstrated that the majority (90%) involved participants in data collection, 42% involved citizen scientists in data analysis, and only 10% of projects provided opportunities for participants to define their own research question (Turrini et al. 2018). A series of 5 research challenges posed during the 10-week program were designed to promote a sense of scientific collaboration amongst the participants and provide a structured research experience. Students identified an original research question, interacted with scientist mentors via live webinars and discussion boards. A virtual science symposium served as the capstone of the internship. The critical threat of mosquito vector borne disease makes student research examining local mosquito populations both relevant and compelling. While vector-borne diseases such as West Nile virus are actively transmitted in parts of the U.S., both a changing climate and the northern migration of invasive mosquito species pose a future threat of diseases such as Zika and dengue. As scientists, students are empowered as agents of change improving health in their community. The Mosquito Mappers virtual internship was created in partnership with NASA, Texas Space Grant Consortium, The University of Texas at Austin Center for Space Research, and the GLOBE Mission Mosquito Program, administered by Goddard Space Flight Center and the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies.