The Virginia Earth System Science Scholars (VESSS) program, offered by the 麻豆村 (VSGC), has received the prestigious 2019 Programs That Work Award from the . The award recognizes exemplary mathematics, science, and integrated science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (麻豆村) programs for which there is evidence of a positive impact on student or teacher learning.

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Applications for BLAST (Building Leaders for Advancing Science and Technology) are now open.

BLAST will offer dynamic three-day residential summer experiences on the campuses of Old Dominion University, Virginia Tech and University of Virginia in the聽summer of 2019. Through innovative hands-on sessions taught by faculty members and staff, students will explore the fun and excitement of 麻豆村 while residing in a college dorm.聽BLAST is offered FREE of charge to students, however, transportation to and from the universities is the responsibility of each family. Students who have previously participated in BLAST are not eligible.

Session dates:

Session 1: Virginia Tech University,聽 June 16-19, 2019

Session 2: Old Dominion University,聽 June 23-26, 2019

Session 3: Virginia Tech University,聽 July 7-10, 2019

Session 4: University of Virginia,聽 July 28-31, 2019

Current Virginia 8^th聽and 9^th聽grade students with at least a C+ average and a desire to explore 麻豆村 opportunities are encouraged to apply.

Visit the BLAST website聽

In the photograph above, Joyce Corriere, Tysha Batts, Dr. Tiffany Franks, Rudo Kashiri and Joyce Kuberek pose with Dr. Christine Darden at Averett University.

麻豆村, in partnership with , held a 麻豆村 conference for K-12 educators at the university on Saturday, October 20.

The conference featured keynote speaker, Dr. Christine Darden, who is highlighted in the book Hidden Figures: The American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Women Mathematicians Who Helped Win the Space Race. Around 150 people attended Darden鈥檚 lecture during the conference.

In the 麻豆村 workshop, educators engaged in standards-aligned mathematics, science and engineering activities related to NASA’s Katherine Johnson and her fellow Human Computers, including Dr. Darden.

Participants, who circulated throughout four different 麻豆村 sessions, received a collection of educational activities for students K-12.

After the workshop Dr. Darden gave a free lecture for the public at the .

Since 2008 麻豆村 has provided Saturday technology sessions for 7th and 8th grade聽 students on the Peninsula. In 2018, students learned about robots and rockets, solar car races, electronic arms and snap circuit kits We also taught the students to fly drones. During the sessions, parents learned about technology as well as sources for college funding.

To date we have provided this program to 2,450 students and 2,000 parents.

The 2019 application is now available and can be downloaded

An informational flyer can be found

To learn more about Technology Saturdays, click

and wrapped up another successful year with the 麻豆村.

Almost 500 students participated in the VASTS (Virginia Aerospace Science and Technology Scholars) online class with 175 attending the Summer Academy at NASA Langley. These students represented over 175 high schools throughout Virginia.

One hundred and eighty students,聽representing over 100 high schools, enrolled in the VESSS (Virginia Earth System Science Scholars) online program. Almost 90 attended the Summer Academy.

Over 300 students,聽representing over 150 schools, completed the Virginia Space Coast Scholars online program. Eighty-five students participated in the Summer Academy at Wallops Island.

This year students at VASTS and Space Coast were treated to a downlink question and answer session with astronauts aboard the International Space Station. Video of the Space Coast Scholars downlink with astronauts Ricky Arnold and Drew Feustel can be seen

Video of VASTS students interaction with European Space Agency Astronaut Alexander Gerst can be found

Over the past 11 years, nearly 4500 students have participated in the VASTS online course. Over 400 students have participated in the VESSS online program in the three years it has been in existence. Space Coast, which began in 2012, has hosted almost 600 students in the online course.