NEW Programs for Summer 2025!
Programs
New Announcements for Summer 2025!
Thanks to all our students and support in 2024, Washington Youth Rocketry is excited to build off of our 2024 success and add even more offerings for 2025! We are thrilled to announce the expansion of our Aerospace Lecture Series, with several new courses that dive into unique concepts in the aerospace field like never before, including our flagship Advanced and High-Powered Rocketry course, designed to take your rocketry skills to the next level! We are also introducing our new Competitive Computing Series, where students train their problem solving skills to get top marks in programming competitions! For the younger ones, we are continuing Washington's first and only Space Camp.
For more information about the current courses offered, click here or navigate to our Program Guide below.
Our Programs
The Aerospace
Lecture Series
Our flagship program, the Aerospace Lecture Series is designed from the ground up to bring university-level aerospace education into a setting accessible to middle- and high-school students.
Grades 6-12
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 previously reserved for only degree-seeking students at top aerospace schools.
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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.
The Competitive Computing Series
Our newest program, the Competitive Computing Series gives a groundbreaking running start to anyone interested in the world of competitive programming.
Grades 6-12
Each program features:
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A series of 3-hour lectures presented by a real software engineering professional.
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Lessons to master computational problem solving.
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Computer science concepts and techniques applicable to any programming language.
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Expert guidance and analysis of real Olympiad-level computation problems.
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Worksheets and take-home projects for supplementary learning beyond the classroom.
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Gain a powerful addition to any high school résumé and college application.
Rocketry Programs
Grades 6-12
Our original programs, our Rocketry Programs are specially designed to reveal the world of aerospace engineering to your young learner.
Each program features:
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A series of classroom instruction days by a NAR-certified instructor.
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Educational, hands-on STEM-based curriculum with a focus on aerospace engineering, instructed in a way kids won't even realize that they're learning!
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A fully-functional 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!
SPACE CAMP!
Grades 3-5
Our most ambitious program yet, our Space Camp is an exciting summer camp for elementary-schoolers dedicated entirely to space and space exploration!
Each program features:
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A series of camp days led by a real NASA engineer.
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Exploratory STEM-based curriculum with topics in aerospace engineering and astronomy.'
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A variety of individual and team-based hands-on projects and activities to learn about space and engineering.
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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!
Program Guide for SUMMER 2025
Secondary School (Grades 6-12)
AE280 !NEW!
Advanced and High-Powered Rocketry
Are ready to take the next step in your rocketry journey and become a real rocketeer? Have you taken our Rad Rocketeers program and looking to take your rocketry to the next level? In our flagship program, students will receive a one-of-a-kind crash course on all things rocketry offered nowhere else in the nation! We'll cover the entire process of a major rocketry project from conceptualization to building to launch. Along the way, students will learn core rocketry design concepts such as architecture selection, material properties, advanced building techniques, and of course, safety. In this highly hands-on program, students apply their skills to build a large, advanced rocket built for the National Association of Rocketry (NAR) Level 1 High Power Rocketry (HPR) certification launch, while learning the prerequisite knowledge to earn their very own NAR High Power Rocketry certification! Those interested in competing in the American Rocketry Challenge (TARC), the nation's largest rocket competition, will find this course especially helpful for building a winning rocket!
Prerequisites: None for high schoolers. For middle schoolers, prior participation in Rad Rocketeers is highly recommended.
ENG320 !NEW!
Principles of Engineering Design and Analysis
There are few skills more critical to engineering than knowing how to design – the first step to creating anything. In this course, students will learn foundational skills in engineering design, including gaining experience in an industry-standard Computer Aided Design (CAD) software. We'll cover both the "how's" and the "why's" of design, with overviews of fundamental concepts such as material properties, stress and strength analysis, manufacturability, and more. In addition, students will gain exposure to the core language of engineering: engineering technical drawings, and learn how to read, interpret, and make their own engineering drawings. Whether you're looking to add something to your portfolio, or if you just want to tinker around with a 3D printer, this course is perfect for those who want to start creating!
Students participating in a robotics, rocketry, or other engineering competition team will find this course especially beneficial for their teams' success!
Prerequisites: None!
AE490 !NEW!
Fundamental Topics in Aerospace Engineering
Interested in airplanes and rockets but don't quite know how they work? Are you considering majoring in Aerospace Engineering but don't really know what subjects that entails? In this course, students will get a comprehensive introduction to all things aerospace! We'll cover the fundamental disciplines within the diverse world of aerospace engineering, such as propulsion, aerodynamics, orbital mechanics, mission operations, and more. Within each subject, we'll go over an overview of its core concepts along with its applications within science and industry. Come learn what makes aerospace engineering, aerospace!
For returning students, this course is a combination of concepts from our previous Propulsion, Aerodynamics, and Mission Planning courses, in addition to several other topics.
Prerequisites: None! Though, prior experience with physics and math will be beneficial.
CS250 !NEW!
Introduction to Competitive Programming
Are you new to programming and intrigued by the challenge of problem-solving? Have you noticed the deep connections between coding and mathematics? If so, competitive programming might be the perfect pursuit for you! In this fast-paced problem-solving sport, participants tackle algorithmic challenges using programming. For pre-collegiate students, the primary stage for competitive programming is the USA Computing Olympiad (USACO), which ranks competitors into four divisions based on skill level. Everyone starts somewhere, and this course is designed to introduce you to the fundamentals of the Bronze division. Throughout this course, students will receive interactive lectures covering core Bronze topics, followed by expert guidance on challenging computational problems from real USACO competitions.
Beyond sharpening your problem-solving abilities, competitive programming is a standout addition to any high school résumé and a powerful asset for college applications. Many top universities — and even leading tech companies — value USACO experience as a marker of strong computational thinking skills. Join us and start your journey in competitive programming!
Prerequisites: Prior programming experience in any language is required. Feel free to contact us for any questions about prerequisites!
CS350 !NEW!
Intermediate
Competitive Programming
If you’re eager to level up your competitive programming skills, this course is the perfect opportunity! Whether you’ve participated in your school’s competitive programming club, taken a programming course like AP Computer Science, or have a solid grasp of the basics, this camp will help you bridge the gap to the USACO Silver division. In this course, we'll introduce more advanced algorithms —some of which are even college-level — to really start building up a powerful problem-solving toolbox. We'll investigate how to analyze code from the perspective of performance, robustness, and efficiency to construct even better solutions. Upon completion of this course, students will be able to confidently compete in the USACO Silver division and earn a score that would impress universities and even companies that may be looking for their next intern!
Prerequisites: CS250 or any introductory programming course. Feel free to contact us for any questions about prerequisites!
Middle School (Grades 6-8)
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)
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 2025
To see available sessions and dates, head over to our registration page:
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.
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.
15200 NE 116th St, Redmond, WA 98052