Washington Aerospace Scholars (WAS) selected a handful of students from across the state to participate in its summer experiences program, including six from the Lake Washington School District (LWSD).

These six juniors are among the 200 who began competing for a spot in one of the WAS summer residency sessions in December. Students complete 10 NASA and University of Washington (UW) designed, STEM-focused lessons in phase one of the process, according to a press release.

Phase two is a six-day experience hosted by the Museum of Flight in Seattle during three sessions held this month and last month. The release states that four student teams cooperate in each session to plan a human mission to Mars. They receive support from professional engineers and scientists, university students and certificated educators. Participants also receive briefings from aerospace professionals, tour engineering facilities and compete in hands-on engineering challenges, according to the release.

WAS connects high school juniors with educational and career opportunities in STEM. The program provides independent learning, hands-on interaction, professional guidance and site-based tours. Students who successfully complete Phase one can register to earn five UW credits.

Here are the LWSD students participating in the program:

Tesla STEM High School

Hans Koduri and Lakshmi Kameswari Lahari Nidadavolu

Eastlake High School

Annabella Shaffer and Romir Singla

International Community School

Alexandra Davidoff

Lake Washington High School

Nicholas Petregal-LeMay