Sequim Students Mattea Brilhart and Melia Nelson Earn Spots in Prestigious WAS Summer Residency
Washington Aerospace Scholars (WAS) is dedicated to connecting high school juniors with educational and career opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) through a combination of independent learning, hands-on interaction, professional guidance, and site-based tours. Since its inception in 2006, over 2,000 students have successfully completed the program, with 65% of participants pursuing a career pathway in STEM fields.
In November 2023, a group of 300 motivated students, including those from Sequim School District, embarked on a five-month course comprising nine lessons designed by NASA and the University of Washington. Successful completion of this rigorous online curriculum can earn students five University of Washington credits in Aeronautics & Astronautics. The pinnacle of this achievement is earning a coveted spot in the Summer Residency program.
This summer, selected scholars will have the unique opportunity to present their designs for a human mission to Mars. Throughout each session, four student teams will collaborate to plan a human mission to Mars, receiving support from professional engineers, scientists, university students, and certified educators. Participants will also benefit from briefings by aerospace professionals, tours of engineering facilities, and participation in hands-on engineering challenges.
Congratulations to Mattea Brilhart and Melia Nelson for their outstanding performance in the WAS online curriculum and for earning a place in the competitive WAS Summer Residency. Their hard work and dedication to STEM have paved the way for an exciting summer of learning and exploration.
Washington Aerospace Scholars is proud to support the next generation of STEM leaders and looks forward to seeing the innovative ideas and solutions these bright minds will bring to the challenge of human space exploration.