Panthers Reach for the Stars!

The purpose of the VASTS program is to provide online coursework for scholars to acquire knowledge of NASA, human space exploration, and key STEM skills.

Students completed seven web-based course modules starting in November 2023. Maryson was among the top 180 performing scholars who completed the coursework from Virginia and was given the opportunity to attend the residential program. Scholars in the program were assigned to different teams to organize a mission to Mars. Maryson was part of the Mission Transit Team and was selected as the team's Deputy Systems Manager. His team worked on the transport vehicle of the astronauts to and from Mars.
 

Throughout the program, students worked at NASA Langley Research Center, toured NASA facilities, and were able to interact with NASA scientists, astronauts, engineers, and technologists, and received guidance from them. The scholars presented their finished report to a panel of professionals from NASA and representatives leading aerospace companies that work with NASA.

"This program was a great experience for me, and I was able to gain lots of knowledge on NASA’s Mars mission from highly experienced professionals of the aerospace sector," shares Maryson.