Eastside Catholic Junior Vybhav Anand recently completed Phase One of the Washington Aerospace Scholars (WAS) program, a highly competitive five-month online curriculum that introduces students to educational and career opportunities in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

Through independent learning, hands-on experiences, professional mentorship and site-based tours, WAS connects high school students with leaders and opportunities in the aerospace and STEM industries. Since its founding in 2006, more than 2,400 students have completed the program's residency experience, with 79 percent reporting that they have pursued a STEM-related career pathway.

"It was a great experience overall," Vybhav said. "It was a good amount of work throughout the week, and I learned about different things, so it wasn't repetitive."

During the program, students explored aerospace concepts through research, writing assignments and engineering design challenges. Participants were encouraged to think critically about real-world issues facing the aerospace industry, including the planning and development of future space exploration missions.

"I learned a ton about aerospace, and we got to work on a variety of  projects," Vybhav said. "It was a lot of design projects as well as essays with rhetorical questions like, 'What would a base on the moon look like and how would it work?'"

For Vybhav, the experience reinforced his interest in STEM and helped him connect classroom learning to potential career pathways. He plans to study applied mathematics in college and is interested in a future career in the aerospace industry.

"I'm planning on going into applied mathematics in college, which has a lot of connections to the aerospace field. It's very hands-on industry. After college, I'd like to work for NASA or SpaceX—any space company, really."

Congratulations to Vybhav on this outstanding achievement and for representing Eastside Catholic in one of Washington's premier STEM enrichment programs!