Students gain unique insights into real-world aerospace operations by visiting the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP) Mission Operations Center, one of only a few university-based centers managing NASA satellites.
The Science Discovery High School Aerospace Classes at the University of Colorado Boulder offer an immersive, week-long pre-college program for high school students interested in aerospace engineering. Participants engage in hands-on learning, lab work, and field trips to explore various aspects of space and aviation. The curriculum is designed to expose students to the landscape of the CU aerospace field, including relevant majors, labs, facilities, and topics of interest. Students will gain an understanding of aerospace history at CU Boulder and the broader Boulder community, fostering a sense of accomplishment and belonging in STEM fields. The program also delves into the engineering challenges of space exploration, such as temperature management, redundancy, reliability, weightlessness, and human needs in space. Practical applications of mathematical concepts like orbit determination, triangulation, and the rocket equation are also covered. Field trips include visits to the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP) Mission Operations Center, where students can observe real-time operations for NASA satellites, and Fiske Planetarium for full-dome shows exploring the solar system and beyond.
A typical day involves meeting scientists from CU studying orbits, imaging, and space exploration, visiting CU aerospace landmarks like the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP) Mission Operations Center, and exploring Fiske Planetarium.
This program is best for highly motivated high school students, including rising 9th graders, who are looking to delve deeper into specific STEM fields, particularly aerospace engineering.
University of Colorado Denver, Denver, CO
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