SEATTLE —  The Washington Aerospace Scholars (WAS) program announced that South Kitsap High School student Caitlyn Wilhelm participated in Phase One of the 2014-15 program cycle.

Now in its ninth year, WAS is designed to connect high school juniors with educational and career opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics through independent learning, hands-on interaction, professional guidance, and site-based tours.

Wilhelm applied in fall of 2014, along with 212 student applicants from 112 different public, private, and home school organizations, to participate in Phase One of the WAS Program. They are now among the 156 students still participating in an online, distance learning curriculum. Designed by NASA and the University of Washington, the curriculum focuses on the past, present, and future of human space travel.

Participating students were able to register to earn five UW credits.

The top performing 120 students will be invited to one of three Summer Residency sessions hosted by the Museum of Flight in July, Phase Two of the WAS program. In each summer session, four student teams cooperate to plan a human mission to Mars with support from professional engineers/scientists, university students, and certificated educators.

Additionally, participants receive briefings from aerospace professionals, tour engineering facilities, and compete in hands-on engineering challenges.