For the Reporter

Washington Aerospace Scholars is a 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 begins in December and continues until May. It consists of 10, bi-weekly lessons, designed in conjunction with NASA and the University of Washington, and a final project.

During the online portion of the program students will have the option to register for a fee to earn five University of Washington graduation requirement credits in Space and Space Travel (ESS-102). Based on their lesson scores, the top performing online curriculum students will be invited to participate in a six-day, Summer Residency at The Museum of Flight in June or July.

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 2014-15 deadline for teacher applications is Nov. 7.

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 2014-15 cycle is Nov. 14.

To view the WAS recruitment video, browse further program information, or to complete an online application, visit: www.museumofflight.org/WAS.