High school student Nic Gaudio of North Bend recently completed the Washington Aerospace Scholars summer residency, an opportunity for students interested in science, technology, engineering and math.
To qualify for the residency program, Gaudio spent six months studying a NASA-designed, distance-learning curriculum via the Internet. He was selected to attend one of the four residencies hosted by The Museum of Flight this summer.
During the residency experience, he collaborated with the other student participants on the design of a human mission to Mars.
Scholars are guided by professional engineers, scientists, university students and certified educators as they plan missions.
In addition to the design of the human mission to Mars, Gaudio and the other WAS scholars also participated in a number of hands-on engineering projects. These challenges included design, construction and deployment of robotic rovers, model rockets, lander devices, and payload lofting systems.
Summer residency participants also received briefings from experts in the fields of engineering and space exploration, visited Everett for behind-the-scenes tours of both the Boeing assembly plant and Aviation Technical Services, and toured various laboratories at the University of Washington’s College of Engineering.
Washington Aerospace Scholars is an educational program for high school juniors. The program inspires students to pursue degrees and careers in science, technology, engineering and math. All expenses are provided to students free of charge, supported by grants.
Washington Aerospace Scholars began accepting applications in early September for the 2009 program cycle; visit www.museumofflight.org/washingtonaerospacescholars to download an application. WAS participants must be high school juniors with 3.0 minimum grade point averages, United States citizens and Washington residents. The deadline for student applications is Friday, Nov. 7. For more information, call (206) 764-5866 or e-mail to waaerospacescholars@museumofflight.org.
