NASA Wallops signed space act agreement

NASA Wallops signed on the space act agreement to support STEM outreach

The Wallops Flight Facility of NASA has recently reaffirmed its enduring 25-year collaboration with the Virginia Space Flight Academy (VASFA) by formalizing a renewed Space Act Agreement earlier this year. This longstanding partnership continues to provide valuable outreach opportunities for young individuals, featuring an annual residential space adventure camp held each summer. In expressing pride in the enduring collaboration, David Pierce, the Director of Wallops, stated that Wallops is grateful to continue the 25-year partnership with VASFA. The camp programs are directed mainly toward the local and regional youth at the facility, and the team anticipates offering behind-the-scenes tours to be a part of the development of the next generation of aerospace professionals.

Originating in 1998 as part of the Eastern Shore Regional Partnership, VASFA was established to provide high-quality summer camp experiences for local youth, leveraging the advanced activities conducted at Wallops, the Virginia Spaceport Authority, NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration), and the United States Navy. Following the success of the initial camp trials, the nonprofit organization was formally founded in 2000 and has continued to spearhead the program. With over 6,000 youth participants since its inception, a considerable number have returned as staff members. Notably, staff members have utilized their camp experiences to secure internships and employment opportunities with NASA and other aerospace partners. In 2021, the program expanded to encompass a new array of year-round STEM Academy programming, benefiting an additional 1,000 students.