Two Hazen High School students are competing in the Washington Aerospace Scholars program this spring and hoping for a chance to work on hands-on learning tools developed by NASA and the University of Washington.
Constance La and Andrew Tran have been participating in Phase One, an online distance-learning curriculum developed by the two institutions, with about 300 other high school juniors across the state. The program emphasizes science, technology, engineering and math and encourages students to pursue careers in those areas.
Math and science are favorite subjects for both La and Tran, who are both eager to be selected for Phase Two of the program. Phase One covers the history and future of space exploration, space environment around Earth, its control by solar activity and potential opportunities for the exploration of the solar system.
“I’m just excited to participate in this program and I’m hoping to get into Phase Two because that sounds a lot more fun that what we’re doing right now,” said Tran.
Every two weeks, La and Tran turn in assignments based on readings, math problems and essays related to the course work. Topics include designing missions and traveling to the moon, sun spots and engineering concepts.
“I like math and science and technology like STEM,” said La. “I think that’s why I was interested in this.”
The Museum of Flight hosts the six-day summer residency experience that is Phase Two. Up to 160 students are chosen for the second phase of the program based on their academic performance in Phase One.
Engineers and educators guide the students’ experience in Phase Two, as they design a human mission to Mars, tour engineering facilities and get briefings from experts in the field.
“To me, it’s not hard,” said Tran. “It’s just a lot of work because it’s just a lot of reading every two weeks and a long essay every two weeks.”
Tran wants to study electrical engineering and computer science in college and pursue a career in the computer and technology field. La is also interested in pursuing computer science and engineering, but is also curious about the medical field.
“I’m just excited to see if I get into Phase Two; it’s more hands-on than this right now,” said La.
Students will learn in May if they have been invited to continue in Phase Two.
