vscs.spacegrant.orgVirginia Space Grant Consortium

Toggle navigationK-12 Students K-6th Grade K-6th Student Resource Links 7th-9th Grade Technology Exploration Saturdays BLAST 10th Grade Virginia Space Coast Scholars (VSCS) 11th-12th Grade Virginia Aerospace Science and Technology Scholars (VASTS) Virginia Earth Systems Science Scholars(VESSS) Pathways Flight Academies Private Pilot Ground School Higher Education Students Internships CSIIP NASA Internships STEM Takes Flight Scholarships and Fellowships Community College STEM Scholarships STEM Bridge Scholarships Undergraduate STEM Research Scholarships Graduate STEM Research Fellowships Student Research Conference Scholarship and Fellowship Awardees ACRP ACRP Design Competition ACRP Graduate Research Awards Educators Innovative Projects New Investigator Program Plant the Moon Challenge STEM Takes Flight Professional Development Opportunities STEM Careers Aviation Pathways Security+ Exam Preparation CSIIP Next Steps in STEM Geospatial Technology and DronesK-12 Students K-6th Grade K-6th Student Resource Links 7th-9th Grade Technology Exploration Saturdays BLAST 10th Grade Virginia Space Coast Scholars (VSCS) 11th-12th Grade Virginia Aerospace Science and Technology Scholars (VASTS) Virginia Earth Systems Science Scholars(VESSS) Pathways Flight Academies Private Pilot Ground School Higher Education Students Internships CSIIP NASA Internships STEM Takes Flight Scholarships and Fellowships Community College STEM Scholarships STEM Bridge Scholarships Undergraduate STEM Research Scholarships Graduate STEM Research Fellowships Student Research Conference Scholarship and Fellowship Awardees ACRP ACRP Design Competition ACRP Graduate Research Awards Educators Innovative Projects New Investigator Program Plant the Moon Challenge STEM Takes Flight Professional Development Opportunities STEM Careers Aviation Pathways Security+ Exam Preparation CSIIP Next Steps in STEM Geospatial Technology and Drones Search for: Toggle sidebar & navigation Virginia Space Coast Scholars (VSCS) is a FREE program for high school sophomores focusing on the science, technology, engineering, and math integral to current missions at NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility and the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport. Information Flyer Online Application Promo Video Online Course Applications: Open August 15-October 24 2024 Academy Dates: June 22-28 July 6-12 July 27-August 2 Contact: Kristen Duprey, kduprey@odu.edu Home About Students Educators Sponsors Home This dynamic program, designed by the , inspires students who are interested in STEM and motivated to learn about the many different opportunities that NASA offers. The program features two key elements. The first is an interactive online STEM learning experience featuring five modules. Upon completion of the online program, top-performing scholars may be invited to attend a seven-day residential summer academy at NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility on Wallops Island, VA, where they will learn firsthand from NASA professionals and their partners about the latest, cutting-edge technologies and missions. The VSCS program is a partnership between the , NASA Wallops Flight Facility , and the Commonwealth of Virginia . About Online Experience Students progress through a series of five modules to learn about NASA’s Earth and airborne sciences orbital and suborbital missions that are conducted or launched from Virginia’s Space Coast. Students have the opportunity to: • Understand mission-related aerodynamic, science, and physics concepts • Be connected with the latest information about NASA missions and discoveries • Develop time management skills, and technical writing skills, and learn about NASA opportunities for students Students are given three to four weeks to complete the activities within each module. After module one opens, the other modules open sequentially every three to four weeks. Each module has a theme around which the content is concentrated. Within each module, students are introduced to: • The connection between science and technology for orbital and suborbital science missions • How science drives the engineering and technology designs and decisions for flying payloads on high-altitude research balloons, sounding rockets, unmanned aerial systems, aircraft, or medium-class rockets • STEM careers associated with NASA’s current missions 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 Wallops Flight Facility on Wallops Island, VA. Scholars who are selected for the week-long academy are provided transportation to and from NASA Wallops, housing, and meals during their stay. Parents/guardians are responsible for transportation to and from the academy. Students Who Can Apply? High School Sophomores! Students from across Virginia are selected to participate through a competitive application process. In order to qualify for participation, students must: ● Be a Virginia resident (Note: Maryland residents may apply if a parent is a NASA Wallops Flight Facility civil servant or contractor employee.) ● Be a sophomore in high school ● Have a minimum GPA of 2.7 ● Have access to the Internet (home, school, public library) ● Have an email address ● Have an interest in science, technology, engineering, or math ● Be a U.S. citizen to attend the summer academy at NASA Wallops Flight Facility ● Students who complete the online course will undergo a competitive selection process for an invitation to the summer academy *Permanent residents may apply for the course; however, NASA security restrictions typically preclude non-citizen participation in the summer academies. To apply, students complete an online application and provide a teacher recommendation and a school counselor letter confirming the student attends a Virginia high school, is in the 10th grade, and has at least a 2.7 GPA. Once submitted, applicants receive an email confirmation, and the specified individuals receive email instructions to submit the letter of recommendation and a school counselor letter on the applicant’s behalf. Applicants should inform those individuals they will receive an email from notices@spacegrant.net. All letters must be submitted via the online application system. Letters submitted in any other manner will not be accepted. It is the applicant’s responsibility to follow up to ensure the recommendation is submitted electronically by the deadline. The applicant will receive an email notification when this letter is submitted. Educators Calling all High School STEM Teachers! We are looking for teachers with the following experience: • Holds a current teaching license in a STEM subject for Virginia secondary school • Formal education experience teaching earth science, aviation, and/or integrative STEM education, preferred • Ability to attend mandatory master teacher training • Moodle coursework/programming a plus Facilitation of Online Coursework Each master teacher will facilitate the VSCS online coursework for approximately 35 scholars in preparation for the potential participation in the summer academies at NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility on Wallops Island, VA. The purpose of the VSCS program is to provide online coursework for scholars to acquire knowledge of NASA, Earth and aerospace exploration, and key STEM skills. The top 120 performing scholars from across Virginia who successfully complete the coursework will attend a seven-day, residential program in which they will undertake a teamed-aerospace mission design project at WFF. Master teachers for the online course must attend at least one week during the summer academies. Master Teacher Stipend $ 1800 for online course content grading and forum participation $2000 for summer academy Responsibilities • 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 three to four...