NEW Programs for Summer 2024!
Programs
New Announcements for Summer 2024!
2024 is an exciting year for Washington Youth Rocketry! We are thrilled to announce the expansion of our High School Lecture Series, with several new courses that dive into unique concepts in the aerospace field like never before! We are also introducing our new Scientific Computing Series, where students will learn real-life technical coding skills that they'll be able to apply to their homeworks, personal projects, and future careers! For the younger ones, we are pioneering Washington's first-ever Space Camp, modeled after NASA's own Space Camp, brought to your local community.
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Finally, we are beyond excited to bring our leading youth aerospace programs to a whole new community: we are introducing Houston Youth Rocketry! We would like to thank everyone who have supported us to make this possible, and we hope to continue inspiring students in aerospace around the nation.
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For more information about the current courses offered, click here or navigate to our Program Guide below.
Our Programs
The High School Lecture Series
Grades 9-12
Each course features: ​
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A series of 3-hour lectures presented by a real NASA engineer.
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A semester's worth of university-level aerospace concepts.
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Group project and presentation opportunities for building teamwork skills.
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Real-life case studies and applications.
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Tutorials on industry-standard analysis and simulation software.
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Worksheets and take-home projects for supplementary learning beyond the classroom.
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Mentorship for success for an aerospace-focused education and career.
Our flagship program, the High School Lecture Series is designed from the ground up to bring university-level aerospace education into a setting accessible to high school students.
This revolutionary program provides a comprehensive overview of real aerospace concepts previously reserved for only degree-seeking students at top aerospace schools. In our courses, we seek to maintain the spirit of actual university aerospace courses by retaining the breadth and accuracy of the course content while making sure the complexity is appropriate for the educational background of any high schooler. Whether a student is the biggest aerospace enthusiast, or still looking to choose a college major, our High School Lecture Series have the perfect college-prep courses for a head start in any aerospace engineering degree. Students will have the opportunity to have their first experience of learning in a university-style course, lecture hall and everything. See what it's like to be an actual engineering college student, but without the stress!
The Scientific Computing Series
Grades 6-12
Each program features: ​
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A series of 3-hour lectures presented by a real NASA engineer.
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Lessons to master an industry-standard scientific computing programming language.
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Computer science concepts and techniques applicable to any programming language.
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Example analysis and applications of real-life datasets and scenarios.
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Worksheets and take-home projects for supplementary learning beyond the classroom.
Our newest program, the Scientific Computing Series is a truly first-of-its-kind class on technical coding for science and engineering.
This is a coding camp like no other! Tired of seeing the same old Python, Java, and game development programs in the community? With our Scientific Computing Series, students can learn real technical computing skills that'll be invaluable for their homework, personal project, and future careers! They'll learn how to code in an industry-standard scientific computing programming language, and apply their new skills to analyzing real-life data-sets and scenarios actually seen in various scientific and engineering fields. Come see a world of coding that no other coding camp has ever shown before!
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I've never coded before. What should I start with scientific computing?
Because unlike starting with more traditional coding languages such as Python and Java, by learning scientific computing first, you'll first develop skills immediately and directly applicable to your everyday life with a much larger variety of applications! Instead of learning with the purpose of developing a game or website, you'll be able to start using code to solve homeworks and build projects. Plus, you'll easily be able to transfer your coding skills to any language in the future.
Rocketry Programs
Grades 3-8
Each program features:​​​
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A series of classroom instruction days by a NAR-certified instructor.
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Educational STEM-based curriculum with a focus on aerospace engineering.
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Complete instruction and tutorial for model rocket construction from scratch.
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A fully-functional model rocket that students will be able to keep, launch, and reuse over and over again.
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A official Launch Day where students can test their rockets and see their engineering creations in action!
Our original programs, our Rocketry Programs are specially designed to reveal the world of aerospace engineering to your young learner.
Our classes seamlessly weave together the educational aspects of science and engineering with the exciting adventure of working with rockets. Each lesson is instructed in a way that is created just for kids, such that they won't even realize that they're learning! While classrooms in school make children often feel boxed up or controlled, with us they are free to exhibit their full potential and creativity. We use a STEM-based, exploratory method that puts the student in the middle of the aerospace engineering experience, where not only will they learn a ton, but they will also be fully involved, doing hands-on work with their own, personal model rocket. Safety is the number one priority; all of our programs follow the NAR Safety Codes and are supervised by a NAR-certified instructor. Whether your kid has never seen a rocket, or you have a little rocket scientist with you, our Rocketry Programs will always have something new for him or her.
SPACE CAMP!
Grades 3-5
Each program features:​​​
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A series of camp days led by a real NASA engineer.
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Educational STEM-based curriculum with a focus on aerospace engineering.
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Building a fully-functional model rocket that students will be able to keep, launch, and reuse over and over again.
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A variety of individual and team-based projects and activities to learn about space and engineering.
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A official Launch Day where students can test their rockets and see their engineering creations in action!
Our most ambitious program yet, our Space Camp is an exciting summer camp for elementary-schoolers dedicated entirely to space and space exploration!
Famously, NASA runs a variety of their immensely popular Space Camps at their centers around the country. Unfortunately, while Washington does not have an official NASA camp, Washington Youth Rocketry is here to bring a slice of Space Camp to your local community! In this first-of-its-kind week-long summer camp, we'll be elevating our popular Rocketry Programs to a whole 'nother level. Students will do everything they will in our Rocketry Programs (including launching their own rocket!), but also explore topics in aerospace engineering and astronomy they normally would not have time to in our other programs. For the little space nerd in your life, our Space Camp is the perfect opportunity for him or her to engage with space to their heart's content.
Program Guide for SUMMER 2024
High School (Grades 9-12)
SCS-CS230
Introduction to
Scientific Computing
Have you ever thought about how engineers and scientists really analyze their data? They don't pull out their hand calculators and papers – they pull out their computers! In this course, students will receive an introductory overview of an industry-standard scientific computing programming language: MATLAB. We'll cover the foundations of coding from the beginning, including the basic design of programs for scientific and engineering problem solving. Throughout the course, students will also learn computer science concepts applicable to other programming languages beyond the topic of scientific computing. By the end of this course, students will be able to code simple programs to solve a variety of problems they might encounter in their school or personal projects.
Prerequisites: None! No prior coding experience necessary.
SCS-AE330
Advanced Scientific Computing with Aerospace Applications
This is an advanced course that greatly expands on the concepts covered in CS230 - Introduction to Scientific Computing. In this course, students will gain a mastery of an industry-standard scientific computing programming language: MATLAB. We'll learn how to analyze algorithms from the perspective of performance, robustness, and efficiency to construct better, more advanced algorithms. We'll also investigate what makes MATLAB such a unique language, such as vectorization and toolboxes, and use its uniqueness to our advantage. Students will then use their coding experience to tackle real-world aerospace engineering problems, including ones pulled directly from industry sources. Upon completion of this course, students will be able to confidently use code to solve everyday problems that they might come across in school and projects at a level that would impress universities and even companies that may be looking for their next intern!
Prerequisites: CS230 OR extensive prior coding experience.
HSLS-AE360
"How to Fly" - Principles of Aerodynamics
Ever wondered why planes stay in the air? In this course, students will learn about how the air all around us affects the motion of objects and give rise to spectacular phenomena. We'll start with an introduction of fluid mechanics, considered the foundation of aerodynamics. Using what we learned, we'll investigate the behavior of airfoils and wings, and how they can affect the performance of aircraft. We'll also see how the effect of air changes across flow regimes, from subsonic to hypersonic, incompressible to compressible. By the end of this course, students will be able to appreciate the presence of aerodynamics in our everyday lives.
Prerequisites: None! Though, prior experience with physics and math will be beneficial.
HSLS-AE410
Space Mission Planning and Design with Orbital Mechanics
James Webb Space Telescope. Perseverance. Artemis. If these names sound familiar, that's because they are all recent hugely successful space missions that pushed humanity's understanding of science and space exploration. If you're interested in the how, what, where, when, and whys of all-things space exploration, this course is for you! In this course, students will learn all about how space missions are designed, from conceptualization to operation. We'll cover what needs to go into every spacecraft, both hardware and operations-wise, and learn about fundamental systems engineering principles along the way. Also included is an entire module dedicated to orbital mechanics; i.e. how things travel in space! Finally, the course concludes with a comprehensive group project where students will present their very-own NASA-styled Mission Concept Review!
Prerequisites: None! As long as you're interested in everything space and space missions!
HSLS-AE480
"Literally Rocket Science" - Aircraft and Spacecraft Propulsion
Ever heard of the phrase "it's not rocket science"? Well, in this case, it literally is rocket science! In this course, students will learn all about the way things go. Every vehicle that flies in the air or space needs a propulsion system, and it is the job of the aerospace engineer to build it. We'll explore the inner workings various engines that have been invented for the purpose of propulsion, both air-breathing engines (such as the ubiquitous jet engine) and all the different types of rocket engines. We'll cover the most elementary of propeller engines, to the most exotic and cutting-edge nuclear rockets. Along the way, students will discover foundational thermodynamic principles applicable to physical phenomenon beyond propulsion.
Prerequisites: None! Though, prior experience with chemistry and math will be beneficial.
Middle School (Grades 6-8)
SCS-CS130
Fundamentals of Scientific Computing
Scientific computing is the perfect start to any coding journey! In this course, students will learn basic coding concepts such as variables, conditionals, loops, and arrays, and implement these concepts in an industry-standard scientific computing programming language. They'll also learn how to program rudimentary algorithms to solve simple scientific and engineering problems. By the end of this course, students will be able to independently code their own programs, as well as start "thinking like a coder" when it comes to solving science and engineering problems! Whether this is a student's first time coding, or already experienced in other languages such as Python or Java, everyone will be learning new things in this course!
Prerequisites: None!
ROCKET-AE110
Rad Rocketeers
In the Rad Rocketeers program, we'll go in-depth into the real-life physics and engineering behind both model rockets and actual rockets, as well as investigate more general aerospace phenomenon. Students will construct a complex model rocket suitable for a larger engine and payload, along with building a wooden glider that will showcase the science behind airplanes. This program is designed to be a comprehensive introduction to aerospace engineering that will get kids inspired and excited to be a future engineer!
Prerequisites: None! Just curiosity and an appetite to ask questions!
Late Elementary School (Grades 3-5)
ROCKET-AE060
Early Engineers
The Early Engineers program is for the young engineers out there who are of the perfect age to start their lifelong endeavor into aerospace engineering and rocketry. They'll learn the basics of model rocketry principles and the fundamental physics behind them. We'll go over the various parts that come together to create a model rocket, and the step-by-step process of putting one together. By the end of the session, every kid will have built their very own model rocket, ready for flight on Launch Day!
Prerequisites: None! Just curiosity and an appetite to ask questions!
ROCKET-AE090
SPACE CAMP!
If your child loves space, rockets, or just anything science, this is the perfect camp for him or her! Our unique, one-of-a-kind summer camp is like no other in Washington! Every day of Space Camp is chock-full of exciting hands-on projects that will teach kids all about STEM and space without them even knowing that they're learning! From building a model rocket (that will be flown!) to designing and simulating their own space missions, Space Camp offers a STEM adventure that your child will not stop talking about. Along the way, kids will develop teamwork, problem solving, and critical thinking skills, all while learning about the topics that they love.
Prerequisites: None! Just curiosity and an appetite to ask questions!
Current Session Registration: SUMMER 2024
To see available sessions and dates, head over to our registration pages:
Class sizes are limited, so make sure to register early to reserve your child's spot today!
Have more questions? Feel free to check out our FAQ or send us a message through our Contact Us page.
Locations
All our Washington programs are currently held at Bellevue College in Building R, just off the I-90 and I-405 interchange.​
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3000 Landerholm Circle SE, Bellevue, WA 98005
Launch Days are held at Sixty Acres Park in Sammamish Valley, a beautiful and open field perfect for rockets.
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15200 NE 116th St, Redmond, WA 98052
Our Houston programs are currently held at the Full Circle Lecture Room, just off I-610.​
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2636 South Loop West, Suite #550, Houston, TX 77054