High school juniors and teachers are being sought to participate in a free statewide program that emphasizes science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), and encourages students to consider careers in these fields.

The Washington Aerospace Scholars program is divided into two components – the online distance learning curriculum and a six-day summer residency. Those selected will participate in the 2012-13 program cycle.

Teachers accepted into WAS participate in both phases of the program. During Phase One, teachers serve as Online Academic Evaluators (OAE) and receive a $400 stipend to evaluate approximately 25 students from mid-December to May.

Teachers also will be provided a $500 stipend to participate in a six-day summer residency held at The Museum of Flight in Seattle. During the residency, teachers work with a STEM professional to guide a team of 10 students as they plan a human mission to Mars.

The summer program also features guest speakers, tours of engineering facilities that are not available to the general public, and hands-on engineering challenges.

Teacher application Deadline is Nov. 2.

Beginning in mid-December, students will begin Phase One, a series of online distance learning lessons using curriculum designed in partnership with NASA and the University of Washington Department of Earth and Space Sciences.

The students will have the option to pay a fee to receive five University of Washington credits in Space and Space Travel (ESS 102) upon on their successful completion of the WAS curriculum.

Student performance on the Phase One curriculum will determine eligibility to participate in Phase Two, a six-day summer residency session hosted by The Museum of Flight in Seattle. At this program, participants will work with professional engineers on the design of a human mission to Mars. Summer Residency participants will also receive briefings from experts, tour engineering and scientific facilities and laboratories, and compete in a variety of hands-on engineering challenges.

Students must be high school juniors, residents of Washington State, and United States citizens.

A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 is required for full status; however, students with a GPA below 3.0 may be admitted on a conditional basis. Student application deadline is Nov. 9.