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Aerospace Scholars program
gives students
opportunity to build Washington's future
By Rep. Dan
Kristiansen
With Boeing's decision to
build a second 787 line in South Carolina, there's little doubt the
aerospace industry in Washington will need to become more competitive in
the future. An important component to retaining a viable, profitable
aerospace industry in our state is a highly-skilled and trained
workforce, ranging from engineers to the line workers who tighten the
bolts.
That's why I am very
pleased that a FREE program is being offered to Washington's high school
juniors that will allow them to apply their talents in the field of
aerospace. The Washington Aerospace Scholars program offers
students the ability to explore the challenges and opportunities
awaiting them in the fields of science, technology, engineering and
math.
The program is offered in
two phases. In phase one, students complete a series of online lessons
designed by NASA that are due every two weeks, starting Dec. 22 and
continuing through May of next year. The lessons include items such as
the math equations used to designate the correct timing for the re-entry
of the space shuttle into the earth's atmosphere so it can successfully
land at one of the three designated landing strips in the United States.
Another lesson explores the calculations engineers would use to send a
spacecraft to Mars. Students are also asked to design an innovation that
would be able to assist astronauts to construct a space station in outer
space.
At the end of phase one,
up to 160 of the top-performing students who meet the program's
qualifications will be chosen to participate in phase two. The next
phase is a six-day summer residency program. Under this program,
students will work with professional engineers and scientists at the
Museum of Flight in Seattle where they will participate in various
activities and challenges. Some of the activities include discussions of
space flight, designing an interplanetary mission to Mars, building and
launching model rockets, design and testing of payload lofting systems,
landing devices and robotic rovers. All lodging, meals and travel
arrangements are handled by the program and, again, it is free of charge
to participants.
To participate, applicants
must be:
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U.S. citizens;
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At least 16 years of
age;
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Washington state
residents;
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Currently juniors in
high school;
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Interested in math,
science, engineering or technology;
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Able to access the
Internet (from home, school or a public library); and
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Committed to
completing online lessons to qualify for the residential experience.
I highly encourage local
students to look into this program, which is a wonderful hands-on
learning experience and a great foundation for a future career in
Washington's aerospace industry.
Applications are available
at:
www.museumofflight.org/washingtonaerospacescholars. The deadline is
this Friday, Nov. 6. For more information, contact Melissa Edwards,
program administrator, at (206) 764-5866 or via e-mail at
medwards@museumofflight.org.
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EDITOR'S NOTE:
State Rep. Dan Kristiansen, R-Snohomish,
represents the 39th Legislative District, and also serves as chairman of
the Washington House Republican Caucus. He can be contacted at (360)
786-7967 or e-mail him and sign up for his e-newsletter at:
www.houserepublicans.wa.gov/Kristiansen.
For more information, contact:
John
Sattgast, Senior Information Officer: (360) 786-7257
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