Aerospace Education and Training Key Terms

Understand terminology related to scholarships and other learning opportunities in the aerospace field

By Kristina Seleshanko

Aerospace education is specialized, yet broad. It may include everything from higher mathematics to engineering to various types of sciences. It might include flight training or the design of new planes and spacecraft. In most cases, training for an aerospace career takes many years in a university. Since this training is costly, students and their parents often seek out scholarships, grants and other opportunities for excellent education and training that don't put the student in debt. With this is mind, here are some frequently seen terms used in the field of aerospace education that relate to scholarships and similar programs.

Consortium

In the world of education, a consortium is two or more schools or organizations that pool their resources. For example, one school in a consortium might offer its students classes from another school in the consortium.
Try: The Virginia Space Grant Consortium explains its mission and how they work with multiple colleges.

National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program

The National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program funds research, education and public service programs in the US. This NASA program works with 52 universities.
Try: NASA further explains the grant and fellowship program and offers a list of participating schools.

LARSS

LARSS is short for Langley Aerospace Research Summer Scholars Program. LARSS is a NASA program offering year-round, paid internships for juniors, seniors, or first-year graduate students. The program offers hands-on research experience and the opportunity to work with NASA scientists.
Try: TeachEarth.com offers more information about LARSS, including contact details.

ESMD

ESMD stands for NASA's Exploration Systems Mission Directorate. This project offers funds to colleges to encourage exploration projects and internships that train at a highly scientific level.
Try: Indiana Space Grant Consortium lays out the details on ESMD.

VASTS

VASTS stands for Virginia Aerospace Science and Technology Scholars. This is an online technology, science, mathematics and engineering interactive program that includes a six-day summer academy at NASA's Langley Research Center.
Try: The Virginia Department of Education's website reprints the standard memo about VASTS. This includes details about what VASTS is and where to uncover more details.

STEM

STEM is the Freshman/Sophomore Undergraduate Bridge Scholarship Program, developed by the University of Virginia. This program encourages students with scientific talents to obtain further study in, Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math.
Try: UVAToday explains the University's program and how it selects students for STEM.