Contact Washington Aerospace Scholars

Melissa Edwards
WAS Administrator

9404 East Marginal Way South
Seattle, WA 98108

P: 206.764.5866
F: 206.764.5707

Washington Aerospace Scholars

A NASA designed web-based program for high school juniors

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. Thanks to the Washington Aerospace Scholars Foundation, the entire program is offered at no cost to participants; this includes the educational experience, travel, meals and lodging expenses.

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 ten lessons and a final project. 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, 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.

For more information on the two phases of the program, see the WAS Phase Descriptions on the left.

Who can participate?

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

• currently juniors in high school with minimum cumulative GPAs of 3.0
• Washington State residents
• U.S. citizens
• 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 (Counselors), professional scientists and engineers (Mentors), and university students (Assistant Mentors).  Please see below for additional details about each of these roles. 

What will the students do?

Phase One, distance learning with a NASA-designed curriculum, is completed from home. Phase One consists of ten 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
• links to virtual reality models, interactive tutorials, videos and 3-D graphics
• 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 and field trips to engineering facilities
• various enrichment activities

How do students apply for the Washington Aerospace Scholars program?

Applications for 2009-10 are now available, and are due by November 6, 2009. Applications should be sent via U.S. mail directly to The Museum of Flight, Attention: WAS Administrator.

If you would like to be added to our mailing list, please send your contact information to Washington Aerospace Scholars.

How are students supported during the program?

Counselors

Certified Washington teachers serve as program Counselors during the residential summer experience.
We are now accepting applications from certificated teachers interested in spending one week at The Museum of Flight working with the selected Scholars for one of the summer residency sessions. Selected teachers will serve as Counselors to teams of ten Scholars, supporting their work and providing supervision (responsibilities include lodging with the students at a local hotel; single rooms are provided for Counselors). Participating teachers will receive $500 stipends and are eligible for 60 clock hours. Lodging, meals, and travel expenses are provided by the WAS Foundation.

Counselor Application Deadline: Friday, March 12, 2010

Eligible counselors 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 mathematics, science or technology-related courses. Experience chaperoning student trips and 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 are accepting applications 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 afternoon. Volunteers are encouraged to attend other summer residency activities as their schedules permit.

Mentor Application Deadline: Friday, April 9, 2010.
Assistant Mentor Application Deadline: Friday, May 14, 2010.

What is the 2009-2010 Timeline?

November 6, 2009
Student applications due to The Museum of Flight, Attention: WAS Administrator.

Early December 2009
Students notified of Phase One selection via U.S. Mail.

December 2009 - Mid-May 2010
WAS Phase One: Distance Learning

March 12, 2010
Teacher/Counselor applications due to The Museum of Flight, Attention: WAS Administrator.

April 9, 2010
Mentor applications due to The Museum of Flight, Attention: WAS Administrator.

May 14, 2010
Assistant Mentor applications due to The Museum of Flight, Attention: WAS Administrator.

June/July 2010
WAS Phase Two: Summer Residencies

• Session 1: June 20-25, 2010
• Session 2: June 27-July 2, 2010
• Session 3: July 11-16, 2010
• Session 4: July 18-23, 2010

Sessions begin Sundays at noon and conclude at 2:30pm on Fridays.