The听Virginia Aerospace Science and Technology Scholars (VASTS)听program is a FREE, interactive on-line 麻豆村 learning experience, highlighted by a seven-day residential summer academy at NASA’s Langley Research Center in Hampton, VA.
Students selected to participate in Virginia Aerospace Science and Technology Scholars (VASTS) are immersed in NASA-related research through interaction with scientists, engineers, and technologists. The program is a partnership between the ,听, the , and industry.
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Online Experience
During the school year, scholars will complete seven web-based modules. The modules begin in late November and are due every two weeks (more time may be given for the first two modules due to how holiday dates fall on the calendar each year). Based upon the content of each module, scholars will provide solutions to real-world questions, design upgrades to be used on the International Space Station (ISS), design a new crew exploration vehicle, and participate in discussion forums on current space-related topics with other scholars to hone their technical writing skills.听
Summer Academy
Upon successful completion of the online course, scholars who perform well in the course may be selected to attend a week-long summer academy at NASA’s Langley Research Center in Hampton, VA, which will include:
鈼 A team project in which students design a human mission to Mars
鈼 Tours of NASA Langley facilities
鈼 Mentoring by NASA engineers, scientists, and technologists
鈼 Participation in hands-on scientific and engineering activities
鈼 Briefings and seminars by astronauts, engineers, scientists, and other NASA experts
Scholars who are selected for the week-long academy at NASA’s Langley Research Center are provided transportation, housing, and meals during their stay.听
Who can apply?
High School Juniors and Seniors!
Students from across the state of Virginia are selected to participate through a competitive application process. In order to participate students must:
鈼 Be a Virginia Resident and U.S. Citizen (or Permanent Resident/Green Card Holder*)
鈼 Be currently in their junior or senior year of high school and at least 16 years of age
鈼 Have interest in or an aptitude for math, science, engineering, or technology
鈼 Have a minimum GPA of 2.7
鈼 Have access to email and the Internet (home, school, or public library)
*Permanent residents (Green Card holders) may take part in the course;听 NASA security restrictions typically only allow US Citizens and Permanent Residents to attend the Summer Academy program.
To apply, students complete an听online application听and provide a teacher听recommendation and a school counselor letter confirming the student听attends a Virginia high school, is in the 11th or 12th grade, and has at least a听2.7 GPA.鈥
Once submitted, applicants receive an email confirmation, and the specified听individuals receive email instructions to submit the letter of recommendation听and a school counselor letter on the applicant鈥檚 behalf. Applicants should听inform those individuals they will receive an email from听notices@spacegrant.net. All letters must be submitted via the online application system. Letters submitted in any other manner will not be听accepted. It is the applicant鈥檚 responsibility to follow up to ensure the recommendation is submitted electronically by the deadline. The applicant听will receive an email notification when this letter is submitted.鈥
Calling all High School 麻豆村 Teachers!
We are looking for teachers with the following experience:
鈥 Holds a current teaching license in a 麻豆村 subject for Virginia secondary school
鈥 Formal education experience teaching earth science, aviation, and/or integrative 麻豆村 education, preferred
鈥 Ability to attend mandatory master teacher training听
鈥 Canvas coursework/programming a plus
Facilitation of Online Coursework
Each master teacher will facilitate the VASTS online coursework for approximately 35 scholars in preparation for the potential participation in the summer academies at NASA鈥檚 Langley Research Center in Hampton, VA. The purpose of the VASTS program is to provide online coursework for scholars to acquire knowledge of NASA, human space exploration, and key 麻豆村 skills. The top 180 performing scholars from across Virginia who successfully complete the coursework will attend a seven-day, residential program in which they will undertake a teamed-human space exploration mission design project at Langley. Master teachers for the online course must attend at least one week during the summer academies.听
Master Teacher Stipend
$2500听for online course content grading and forum participation听 听 听听
$2000 for summer academy
Responsibilities
鈥 Grade modules submitted by the scholars and the final project promptly using prescribed performance rubrics. Online course module assignments that the students complete are due every two weeks.
鈥 Provide personalized and timely feedback (within one week of submission) of assignments using the Canvas online coursework management website. Input grades into the system. Include comments regarding exemplary work and areas that need improvement. Provide examples of how work could be improved.
鈥 Monitor scholars鈥 performance, quality of assignments, online posts, and replies within the discussion forums. Contact students individually as needed. Send VSGC copies of correspondence via email if concerns arise.
鈥 Ensure online discussions are appropriate and topic-relevant. Address students individually through email if a breach of online etiquette occurs. Send VSGC copies of such correspondence via email.
鈥 Maintain performance data and tracking of student performance using the online system. Alert VSGC of students who are falling behind on assignments and note the follow-up taken.
鈥 Correspond with VASTS scholars and NASA mentors through online discussion forums, synchronous chat sessions, and email through the Canvas site.
鈥 Complete Post-Course evaluation surveys
VASTS Coursework Training
A mandatory virtual training session will be held.听 You will be sent further instructions prior to training.
Application Link:
Application Deadline: October 19
Teachers are required to submit an online application by the October 19th deadline.听Once you have submitted the online application, you will receive an email confirming the submission.听听
Letters of Recommendation
Two letters of recommendation must be provided by a current or former supervisor, department chair, school administrator, or someone who can attest to the applicant鈥檚 professional qualifications. Once the applicant has submitted their application, the system will email the specified individuals instructions on how to submit their online letters of recommendation. Inform them that they will be receiving an email from听notices@spacegrant.net with these instructions.
All letters of recommendation must be submitted via the online application system. Letters of recommendation submitted in any other manner will not be accepted.
Important Note:听It is the responsibility of the applicant to follow up with the people who are providing letters of recommendation to ensure the recommendations are submitted electronically by the deadline. The applicant will receive an email notification when each of these letters is submitted
Inside VASTS
鉁堬笍 VASTS 鈥 Daily Life at the Academy
A week at the Virginia Aerospace Science and Technology Scholars (VASTS) Academy blends rigorous 麻豆村 learning with the excitement of mission planning.
馃敼 What a Typical Day Looks Like
Morning 鈥 Breakfast followed by aerospace workshops, coding simulations, or guest speaker sessions with NASA engineers.
Afternoon 鈥 Team-based mission design projects, research work, and field trips to NASA Langley Research Center.
Evening 鈥 Dinner with peers, community activities, or collaborative work sessions on capstone projects.
Night 鈥 Students return to dorms under staff supervision, reflecting on the day鈥檚 progress.
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鉁堬笍 VASTS 鈥 Activities & Experiences
Throughout the week, students immerse themselves in the world of aerospace:
麻豆村 Workshops: Hands-on labs, simulations, and mission design challenges centered on human spaceflight and Mars exploration.
Field Trips: Explore NASA Langley Research Center and interact with professionals shaping the future of aerospace.
Guest Speakers & Mentorship: Learn from NASA scientists, engineers, and university faculty.
Team-Building Activities: Evening events that foster collaboration, leadership, and friendships.
Student Voices
Hear directly from the students who鈥檝e been there. From the panel presentation and the week’s recap video.听
