WAS program application deadlines aproach

Washington Aerospace Scholars Program is a free distance-learning and summer residency program for high school juniors that emphasizes science, technology, engineering and math, and encourages students to consider careers in these fields.

The online curriculum will begin in December 2013 and continue until May 2014. It consists of ten, bi-weekly, lessons, designed in conjunction with NASA and the University of Washington, and a final project. The online program is free, but students have the option to pay a fee to register for five University of Washington graduation requirement credits in Space and Space Travel (ESS-102) based on successful completion of the online curriculum.

Based on their lesson scores, the top-performing, online-curriculum students will be invited to participate in a free, six-day, summer residency at The Museum of Flight in June or July 2014. During their residency students will design a human mission to Mars guided by professional engineers and teachers who serve as summer residency academic facilitators. The summer residency also features guest speakers, tours of engineering facilities, and hands-on engineering challenges.

Washington state-certified math and science teachers are also invited to apply to serve as online academic evaluators from December to May and summer residency facilitators for one six-day session in either June or July. Stipends, 60 clock hours, and all room/board and travel expenses are provided to participating teachers. The 2013-14 deadline for teacher applications is November 1, 2013.

The WAS program is open to high school juniors throughout Washington. Applicants must be U.S. citizens, Washington state residents and have a 3.0 GPA (students with a GPA below 3.0 can apply for conditional acceptance, and will be granted full status upon demonstration of adequate academic progress). The student deadline for the 2013-14 cycle is November 8, 2013.

For additional information on the Washington Aerospace Scholars program or to complete an online application, visit: http://www.museumofflight.org/WAS.

Questions about this opportunity should be directed to WAS@museumofflight.org.