Washington Aerospace Scholars is a free program that emphasizes science, technology, engineering and math and encourages high school juniors to consider careers in these fields.

The program is divided into two components – the online curriculum and the Summer Residency.

The online curriculum begins in December and consists of 10 NASA-designed, lessons and a final project. Based on their lesson scores, the top qualified students will be invited to The Museum of Flight in June or July 2011 to 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, engineering facilities tours, and hands-on engineering challenges.

Washington State certified math and science teachers are invited to apply to serve as Online Academic Evaluators from December to May and Summer Residency Facilitators in either June or July. Stipends, 60 clock hours, and all room/board and travel expenses are provided to participating teachers. The 2010-11 deadline for teacher applications is today.

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 2010-11 cycle is Nov. 5.

For additional information on the WAS program and to download an application, visit www.museumofflight.org/WAS.