Applications for Idaho Science & Aerospace Scholars Program Now Available

Idaho’s high school juniors can apply now to take part in the exciting second year of the Idaho Science and Aerospace Scholars Program.

Through this competitive program, students from across Idaho take an engaging online course in space exploration and learn a broad range of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) skills aligned with Idaho’s content standards. Based on their performance in this course, students are then selected to participate in a weeklong, all-expenses-paid, residential Summer Academy at Boise State University and NASA Ames Research Center in California.

“The Idaho Science and Aerospace Scholars Program and Summer Academy give Idaho students the unprecedented opportunity to work directly with experts in science, technology, engineering and mathematics at NASA and throughout Idaho,” Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna said. “I am excited we have been able to secure a grant from NASA and expand this program to even more students statewide this year.”

Last year, more than 70 high school juniors participated in the inaugural Idaho Science and Aerospace Scholars Program. Based on this success, the State Department of Education received a $1.2 million grant from NASA to expand the program over the next two years. The state plans to serve 180 students this year.

Superintendent Luna worked with astronaut and Boise State Distinguished Educator-in-Residence Barbara Morgan in 2009 to create this competitive program in Idaho. The State Department of Education funded the initial pilot year with help and support from partners, such as Boise State University, Idaho Digital Learning Academy, Discovery Center of Idaho, Micron Foundation, Hewlett-Packard, Idaho National Laboratory, Idaho Air National Guard, University of Idaho and Idaho State University.

Students can learn more about the experience of the Idaho Science and Aerospace Scholars Summer Academy by checking out our live blog of this summer’s events or downloading ISAS Alumni Presentation.

If you know of any high school juniors who have a passion for STEM subjects, please urge them to apply for this outstanding program. The application deadline is November 15, 2010.

Apply now!

If you have questions during the application process, please contact Dr. Val Schorzman at (208) 332-6920 or vjschorzman@sde.idaho.gov.

~ Melissa M.