NASA Makes Aerospace Sizzle for Virginia Summer Scholars
Marking its fifth year as host, NASA Langley Research Center welcomes 144 high school students to three, week-long summer academies of NASA-related research and interaction with scientists, engineers and technologists.
The Virginia Aerospace Science and Technology Scholars (VASTS) program is an interactive online science, technology, engineering and mathematics learning experience, highlighted by a seven-day residential summer academy at NASA Langley here. The academies will be held June 23-29, July 7-13 and July 21-27.
In addition to their tours of various NASA facilities and seminars in robotics, radiation and more, the rising high school seniors will present their crewed Mars sample return mission projects to a Critical Mission Design Review panel.
In the photo above, VASTS students met with former astronaut Roger Crouch, who was a group leader and researcher at NASA's Langley Research Center from 1962 - 1985, specializing in microgravity and space applications. He was a payload specialist on STS-83 and 94, both in 1997.
The Virginia Aerospace Science and Technology Scholars program is modeled after a distance-learning program designed at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Texas. The Virginia program is managed by the Virginia Space Grant Consortium.
VASTS is a partnership between NASA Langley, the Virginia Space Grant Consortium, the Commonwealth of Virginia and industry.
For more information about NASA Langley Education programs:
For more information about VASTS:
Photo credit: NASA/Sean Smith