Washington Aerospace Scholars

One of the most exciting educational opportunities for students in the State of Washington

- Governor Christine O. Gregoire

This program really changed my views on math and science. Before coming here for the week, I did not really care about math and science, and I thought it was a pointless class to take because we would never use this in the future.  By being a part of this program, I have come to realize that math and science are vitally important.

- Ali E. – Thomas Jefferson High School

I would absolutely recommend WAS to other students. WAS is a fun, interesting program filled with activities all designed to help you learn more about space and the engineering world in general.  From this residency experience, I’ve learned the tough work engineers go through every day and the whole reason behind it: seeing something you’ve designed or helped build actually work!  There’s nothing else more fulfilling.

-Jayden G. – Monroe High School

What is Washington Aerospace Scholars?

Washington Aerospace Scholars (WAS) is an educational program for high school juniors from across Washington State. The WAS program emphasizes science, technology, engineering and math, and encourages students to consider careers in these fields.

The program is divided into two components – the online curriculum and the Summer Residency.

• Phase One, distance learning using a NASA-designed, online curriculum, consists of bi-weekly lessons from December to May. The curriculum covers the history and future of space exploration; students complete readings, compose essays, design graphics, and solve mathematic problems. 
• Phase Two is a six-day summer residency experience hosted by the Museum of Flight.  To earn a space in this summer residency experience, students are expected to meet deadlines and show mastery of the Phase One curriculum; up to 160 of the top-performing students will be invited to participate in the Summer Residency based on their academic  performance in Phase One. During the residency students are guided by professional engineers and educators as they design a human mission to Mars, tour engineering facilities, receive briefings from experts in the field, and compete in hands-on engineering challenges.

Who can participate?

Students from every legislative district across Washington State compete to take part in this exciting program. Participants must be:

• U.S. citizens
• Washington State residents
• Juniors in high school with minimum cumulative GPAs of 3.0 (students with a GPAs below 3.0 can apply for conditional acceptance and will receive full acceptance upon demonstrating adequate academic progress)
• Able to access the internet (home, school or public library)
• Committed to completing online lessons to qualify for a six-day residential summer experience
• Interested in science, technology, engineering and/or math.

These students are also supported by certificated teachers, professional scientists and engineers, and university students.  Please see below for additional details about how to apply for one of these roles. 

What will the students do?

Phase One, distance learning with a NASA-designed curriculum, is completed via the internet. Phase One consists of bi-weekly lessons and a final project. Each lesson has tasks, collectively called a “mission” that include quizzes, math problems, and essays (some of which have graphics); each lesson takes 2-3 hours to complete.   During Phase One, students will perform a variety of web-based activities including:

• Studies of the history of space exploration, the Space Shuttle, International Space Station, Lunar and Martian explorations
• Contact with experts and professionals from the fields of science, technology, engineering and math

Phase Two is a six-day residential summer experience at The Museum of Flight where select students will be guided by mentors and classroom teachers. Activities will include:

• Mission to Mars team project
• Hands-on engineering activities involving model rockets, robotic rovers, landers and payload lofting
• Briefings by astronauts, engineers, scientists and aerospace experts
• Tours of various engineering facilities
• Enrichment activities

How do students apply for the Washington Aerospace Scholars program?

The 2012-13 student and teacher applications are now available to download from our website. Teacher applications are due November 1 and student applications are due November 8. Applications should be sent via U.S. mail directly to The Museum of Flight, Attention: WAS Director.

If you would like to receive an email when applications are available or be added to our mailing list, please send your contact information to Washington Aerospace Scholars.

How are students supported during the program?

Teachers

Certified Washington teachers serve as Online Academic Evaluators during the distance learning portion and Academic Facilitators during the residential summer experience. In Fall 2012, WAS will seek math and science teachers to evaluate online coursework for up to 20 high school juniors in preparation for their participation in a six-day summer residency at The Museum of Flight in Seattle.   During the Summer Residency, selected teachers will guide a team of ten Scholars, supporting their work and providing supervision (responsibilities include lodging with the students at a local hotel; single rooms are provided for teachers). Participating teachers will receive stipends for their participation and are eligible for 60 clock hours. Lodging, meals, and travel expenses are provided by the WAS Foundation.

Eligible teachers must be U.S. citizens and practicing, Washington State certified, teachers of science, math, technology or related subjects.

The ideal candidates are teachers with experience teaching high school mathematics, science or technology-related courses. Experience with chaperoning student trips or camps is beneficial but not required. Continuous access to, and a working knowledge of, the internet and e-mail are essential.

Mentors & Assistant Mentors

During the summer residencies students are mentored by scientists and aerospace engineers, who are, in turn, assisted by university students.

We will be accepting applications in Spring 2013 from engineering / science professionals and university students interested in volunteering their time to mentor the next generation of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) professionals. These volunteers will support the Scholars as they design a human mission to Mars. One Mentor and one Assistant Mentor will work with a team of ten Scholars for one week. The time commitment is approximately 20 hours (8am-12pm, Monday-Friday), plus attendance at a closing luncheon banquet on Friday from 12-2pm. Volunteers are encouraged to attend other summer residency activities as their schedules permit.

Mentor Application Deadline: Spring 2013.
Assistant Mentor Application Deadline: Spring 2013.

The Washington Aerospace Scholars Foundation would like to acknowledge that the 2011-12 WAS Program was made possible with support from the following: