NASA’s Virginia Space Grant Consortium (VSGC)

NASA’s Virginia Space Grant Consortium (VSGC) is excited to share that the application window is now open for our FREE summer residential STEM program for current 8^th and 9^th grade students in Virginia!

Building Leaders for Advancing Science and Technology (BLAST) is ideal for students who have a passion for science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) and have not yet had either the confidence or the opportunity to participate in experiential STEM programs before now. 

Like other VSGC programs you may be familiar with (Virginia Space Coast Scholars, Virginia Aerospace Technology Scholars, and Virginia Earth System Science Scholars), BLAST inspires students to grow their love of STEM through engaging and authentic experiences and career exploration. BLAST is a FREE opportunity for students to find their place in STEM while being immersed in the college experience. Selected students spend three days and nights on campus at either Old Dominion University, Radford University, University of Virginia, Virginia Tech, or William & Mary, engaging in exciting STEM-related activities led by university faculty and enjoying demonstrations, tours, and guest speakers. BLAST challenges students to think creatively, to collaborate in diverse teams, and to communicate effectively.  More than 2,700 students have participated in BLAST since its inception in 2013, and for its positive impact on student learning, BLAST has earned the Programs That Work Award from the Virginia Mathematics & Science Coalition.

• FREE STEM Residential Summer Program for Virginia 8^th and 9^th graders- APPLY NOW! The Virginia Space Grant Consortium is now accepting applications for Building Leaders to Advance Science and Technology program. Engage in exciting hands-on STEM activities while experiencing 3 days and nights on a college campus. For details, including videos from past sessions, and to apply, visit: https://vsgc.odu.edu/blast/ https://youtu.be/TgTl-gY-UFw 
• Have an interest in STEM? Check out this Next Steps in STEM video featuring Amanda Wyche, a geoscience major ROTC cadet at Virginia Tech and a participant in all four VSGC pre-college programs! Ready to take YOUR next step in STEM? FREE VSGC program for students in grades 8 and 9 is now open (GPA 2.7+). Watch more videos, get all the details, and apply here: https://vsgc.odu.edu/blast/

The BLAST application window closes Wednesday, February 1, 2023. More details about each program, including videos from past sessions, can be found here: https://vsgc.odu.edu/blast/. Please reach out to Julie Back, STEM Education Program Specialist, with your questions: jback@odu.edu.