Auburn School District No. 408
915 4th Street Northeast, Auburn, WA  98002

1/28/08

NEWS RELEASE
Seven Auburn School District Students Selected as 2007-08
Washington Aerospace Scholars

Seven exceptional students in the Auburn School District have been named 2007-08 Washington Aerospace Scholars:

• Ashley Allman—Auburn High School

• Travis Dietz—Auburn Mountainview High School

• Sarah Frederick—Auburn High School

• Bret Renschler—Auburn High School

• Corey Smith—Auburn Mountainview High School

• Justis Tena—Auburn Mountainview High School

• Anna Vinnikova—Auburn High School

The students named above are among 225 talented juniors from across the state who have been accepted into the first phase of the Washington Aerospace Scholars (WAS) program. The Washington Aerospace Scholars program selects outstanding high school juniors to participate in a state-wide, interactive, online learning experience, culminating in a six-day residential internship for select participants at The Museum of Flight in Seattle. Selected students are encouraged to study math, science, engineering and computer science as they interact with aerospace engineers and educators. Students from every legislative district across Washington State compete to take part in this exciting program. The students are recommended by teachers and chosen for the summer residency by state legislators.

At this time, the scholars are participating in phase one: distance learning with a NASA-designed curriculum. From home, school or public library, students complete Web-based activities including: space exploration studies in space shuttle, space station, lunar and Mars explorations; quizzes, math problems, essays and graphics concerning these studies; and links to virtual reality models, interactive tutorials, videos and 3-D graphics.

Students will undergo a second round of selection for phase two of the program: the summer residency. Selected scholars will attend a six-day residential summer experience at The Museum of Flight. During this experience, students will work in teams to complete hands-on engineering activities associated with the design of a human mission to Mars; participate in briefings from engineers, scientists and aerospace professionals; and attend tours and field trips. Students will be mentored by aerospace engineers, college staff/students and teachers. Certified Washington teachers serve as program counselors during the residential summer experience. Selected teachers receive transportation, housing and meals, and they guide the students through their learning experiences. Teachers are invited to apply via: www.museumofflight.org/washingtonaerospacescholars.  

For more information contact Amy Spence, public information officer, (253) 931-4713.