Two Federal Way students have been accepted into the Washington Aerospace Scholars Program, which provides opportunities for Washington and Oregon state high school juniors to explore science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) topics.

Chloe Kvenvolden, who attends Decatur High School, and Sesilina Lane, who goes to Todd Beamer High School qualified for the WAS Summer Residency based on their academic performance in Phase One of the curriculum.

WAS is designed to connect students with educational and career opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics through independent learning, hands-on interaction, professional guidance and site-based tours.

In December 2017, Kvenvolden and Lane were among the 200 students who began competing for a spot in one of the WAS Summer Residency sessions by completing ten NASA and University of Washington designed lessons. Students were able to register to earn five UW credits based on successful completion of the curriculum.

Phase Two of the program is a six-day experience at The Museum of Flight in Tukwila during three sessions throughout June and July. In each session, four student teams cooperate to plan a human mission to Mars with support from professional engineers and scientists, university students and certificated educators. Additionally, participants receive briefings from aerospace professionals, tour engineering facilities and compete in hands-on engineering challenges.