The Virginia Earth System Science Scholars (VESSS) program, offered by the Virginia Space Grant Consortium, is an interactive online STEM learning experience for Virginia high school juniors and seniors, which engages students in NASA’s satellite missions designed to improve understanding of our own planet’s complex systems through the power of remote sensing.

Students selected to participate are immersed in NASA-related research and satellite mission design through interaction with NASA scientists, engineers, and technologists. Successful completion of the course is highlighted by a seven-day residential summer academy at NASA’s Langley Research Center in Hampton, VA. Students can earn up to five FREE, transferable, dual-enrolled college credits through Virginia Peninsula Community College.

VESSS received the prestigious 2019 Programs That Work Award from the Virginia Mathematics & Science Coalition. The award recognizes exemplary science and integrated STEM programs for which there is evidence of a positive impact on student learning.

The program is a partnership between the Virginia Space Grant Consortium, NASA Langley Research Center, and the Commonwealth of Virginia. Virginia Peninsula Community College is partnering to provide up to five free dual enrollment transferable college credits.

Funding for VESSS is provided by the Commonwealth of Virginia, Howmet Aerospace Foundation, the Society of American Military Engineers (SAME), and the National Institute of Aerospace (NIA).

Who Can Apply?

High School Juniors and Seniors!

Students from across Virginia are selected to participate through a competitive application process. In order to qualify for participation, students must:

● Be a Virginia resident 
● Be a junior or senior in high school
● Have a minimum GPA of 2.7
● Have access to the Internet (home, school, public library)
● Have an email address
● Have an interest in science, technology, engineering, or math
● Be a U.S. citizen to attend the summer academy at NASA Langley Research Center
● Students who complete the online course will undergo a competitive selection process for an invitation to the summer academy
*Permanent residents may apply for the course; however, NASA security restrictions typically preclude non-citizen participation in the summer academies.

Once submitted, applicants receive an email confirmation, and the specified individuals receive email instructions to submit the letter of recommendation and a school counselor letter on the applicant’s behalf. Applicants should inform those individuals they will receive an email from notices@spacegrant.net. All letters must be submitted via the online application system. Letters submitted in any other manner will not be accepted. It is the applicant’s responsibility to follow up to ensure the recommendation is submitted electronically by the deadline. The applicant will receive an email notification when this letter is submitted.

Calling all High School STEM Teachers!

Apply Here!

We are looking for teachers with the following experience:

• Holds a current teaching license in a STEM subject for Virginia secondary school
• Formal education experience teaching earth science, aviation, and/or integrative STEM education, preferred
• Ability to attend mandatory Master Teacher Training 
• Moodle coursework/programming a plus

Facilitation of Online Coursework

Each master teacher will facilitate the VESSS online coursework for 30 scholars in preparation for the potential participation in the summer academies at NASA’s Langley Research Center in Hampton, VA. The purpose of the VESSS program is to provide online coursework for scholars to acquire knowledge of NASA, Earth systems, and key STEM skills. The top performing scholars from across Virginia who successfully complete the coursework will attend a seven-day, residential program in which they will undertake a teamed-Earth science mission design project at Langley. Master teachers for the online course must attend at least one week during the summer academies. 

Master Teacher Stipend

$2500 for online course content grading and forum participation      
$2000 for summer academy

Responsibilities

• Grade modules submitted by the scholars and the final project promptly using prescribed performance rubrics. Online course module assignments that the students complete are due every two weeks.
• Provide personalized and timely feedback (within one week of submission) of assignments using the Moodle online coursework management website. Input grades into the system. Include comments regarding exemplary work and areas that need improvement. Provide examples of how work could be improved.
• Monitor scholars’ performance, quality of assignments, online posts, and replies within the discussion forums. Contact students individually as needed. Send VSGC copies of correspondence via email if concerns arise.
• Ensure online discussions are appropriate and topic-relevant. Address students individually through email if a breach of online etiquette occurs. Send VSGC copies of such correspondence via email.
• Maintain performance data and tracking of student performance using the online system. Alert VSGC of students who are falling behind on assignments and note the follow-up taken.
• Correspond with VESSS scholars and NASA mentors through online discussion forums, synchronous chat sessions, and email through the Moodle site.
• Complete Post-Course evaluation surveys

VESSS Coursework Training

A mandatory virtual training session will be held.  You will be sent further instructions prior to training.

Application Link: https://spacegrant.net/apps/?pk=vsgcmt

Application Deadline: October 15

Teachers are required to submit an online application by the October 15th deadline. Once you have submitted the online application, you will receive an email confirming the submission.  

Letters of Recommendation

Two letters of recommendation must be provided by a current or former supervisor, department chair, school administrator, or someone who can attest to the applicant’s professional qualifications. Once the applicant has submitted their application, the system will email the specified individuals instructions on how to submit their online letters of recommendation. Inform them that they will be receiving an email from notices@spacegrant.net with these instructions.

All letters of recommendation must be submitted via the online application system. Letters of recommendation submitted in any other manner will not be accepted.

Important Note: It is the responsibility of the applicant to follow up with the people who are providing letters of recommendation to ensure the recommendations are submitted electronically by the deadline. The applicant will receive an email notification when each of these letters is submitted.