Washington Aerospace Scholars Summer Residency; pursuing a passion for learning

It was the famous Brazilian soccer player, Edson Arantes do Nascimento, better known as Pelé, who coined my favorite quote: “Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice, and most of all, love of what you are learning to do.”

These words serve as strong reminder that success is not the goal, but rather a byproduct of a deeply rooted passion for learning.

As a result, I have an undying curiosity that demands my attention. This was my motivation last November when I began Phase One of the Washington Aerospace Scholars (WAS) program.

In its 11th year, WAS is a two-phase program for high school juniors interested in engineering and aeronautics.

Phase One of the program consists of a five-month online course through The Museum of Flight Digital Learning, covering topics in aerospace, propulsion, and the science of the solar system.

Students have the option of receiving five credits from the University of Washington for completing the course.

If it’s any indication of the rigor of the course, 201 students began Phase One and 97 finished.

Scholars’ grades in Phase One determined their eligibility for Phase Two: Summer Residency at The Museum of Flight in Seattle.

Of their program, The Museum of Flight writes on their website, “Beyond education, this program will help students build their confidence, maturity and independence while having fun learning about the universe in which we live, meeting other students with similar interests and challenging themselves to design realistic future space missions.”

Phase One was a significant time investment—it’s not something I recommend to someone who grows squeamish at the thought of adversity—but the return, participation in WAS Summer Residency, made all efforts more than worthwhile.

For six days last week, I and 32 of Washington’s brightest traveled to The Museum of Flight. We were organized into four teams through which we engaged in our primary mission: planning a realistic manned mission to Mars.

Other aspects of the week included competing in engineering challenges, meeting with engineering professionals, and participating in tours of the Boeing factory floor and the University of Washington.

In all honesty, prior to meeting my fellow scholars, I was seriously concerned that I would be stranded for a very uncomfortable week with antisocial introverts whose obsession with quantum physics would be second only to their obsessive hatred for group work.

In reality, the students I met at WAS were some of the smartest, driven, and down to Earth group I’ve ever had the privilege of knowing.

After reflecting on the week with my teammates, I realize I’m not alone in my opinion.

WAS scholar Brendon Tran of Squalicum High School explained, “My favorite part of the Summer Residency was doing the engineering challenges, but also making long lasting memories with the amazing people around me.”

“My favorite part of the summer residency wasn’t a single event alone but the experience of socializing and working with like-minded peers in the unique environment we had,” explained my team’s leader of Auburn Riverside High School, Colby Tong.

“I felt productive and had fun at the same time,” Tong added.

The collaboration and hard work throughout the week led to personal growth, especially in the areas of leadership and time management.

Ben Anderson of Bothell High School reflected, “I learned how to work with a team on a more substantial project that requires trade- offs and compromises.”

“I learned how to be more disciplined,” said Tong. “The schedule was pretty hard cut… With a set time to complete each task, I really had to push and do a quality job quickly so that I could stay on top of the schedule.”

Apart from personal growth, WAS is an opportunity to make and use connections, not only with fellow scholars but with mentors (industry professionals) and Museum of Flight staff.

WAS alumni are part of the National High School Aerospace Scholars network, an extensive alumni network of engineering professionals across the nation.

As a result, the conclusion of the Summer Residency does not symbolize the end of WAS for me; rather, the effects of WAS on my future will be long lasting and meaningful.

Overall, I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity that WAS provided me with.

The experiences I gained over the past week proved to me that others share my passion for learning, and that more hard work will be required for me to meet more people like them.