NEWS + UPDATES
Black Hole Friday!
Black holes are among the most fascinating objects in the universe. In celebration of #BlackHoleFriday we curated a short list of resources for you to learn more about these oft-maligned cosmic quandaries.
Double Your Impact!
Help students like Gabby reach for the stars! Gabby’s journey—from winning robotics awards at Base Camp to dreaming of aerospace engineering—reflects the incredible potential we can unlock with the right support. This year, the Virginia Space Flight Academy gave a record number of scholarships, opening doors for students of all backgrounds to thrive in STEM. But we need your help to keep this momentum going. Your donation, matched by the Bahethi Family Foundation up to $10,000, will provide transformative experiences for young minds like Gabby’s. Give by December 31 to double your impact and inspire the next generation of innovators!
From Classrooms to the Cosmos
Virginia Space Flight Academy (VASFA) has partnered with Newport News Public Schools (NNPS) on a five-year initiative, "Mission STEM: Pioneering Pathways in Robotics and Space Exploration," supported by a $2 million DoDEA grant. The program will engage over 450 students annually from 12 NNPS schools, offering hands-on experiences in robotics, space exploration, and more. Highlights include…
Explosions on the Moon!
Explosions on the Moon! You read that right. Read this special STEM Fact Friday about measuring and analyzing lunar seismic activity. Tomorrow is also International Observe the Moon night, so get out and look up!
Launching Dreams for All!
VASFA is proudly celebrating its 26th year of the Space Adventure Camp at NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility, providing hundreds of students with unparalleled access to NASA's aerospace technology. Notably, this year's camp reached gender equity and saw a 43% participation of people of color, highlighting VASFA’s commitment to diversity and inclusion in STEM. With increased scholarships and inspiring mentorship opportunities, VASFA continues to empower young STEM leaders.
Rock(et) the Vote!
Our 2024 Space Adventure Campers have submitted beautiful designs for this year’s mission patch. Check out the designs and vote for your favorites!
Don’t Miss This Eclipse 🌞🌑
Prepare for syzygy on Monday, April 8, as the Sun, Moon, and Earth align to give us one of the rarest and most spectacular cosmic events, a total solar eclipse.
A Year of Extraordinary Impact & Celebration
2023, our 25th Anniversary, was an extraordinary year of impact and celebration. See our breakdown of some of the more memorable events, facts, and figures in this brief recap.
Our Recent Adventures
As we celebrate our 25th anniversary, we can't help but reflect on the incredible journey that has brought us to this milestone. It has been a remarkable ride. We've been busy commemorating this significant achievement and participating in special events. We are thrilled to share these exciting updates with our valued friends.
The Meaning Behind the Design
As we wrap up our fantastic 25th-anniversary celebration, we can't contain our excitement about resharing the extraordinary 25th emblem crafted by the accomplished Tim Gagnon! Brace yourself for a thrilling behind-the-scenes journey into Tim's creative genius as we explain the intricate design elements and their profound meaning in this captivating video.
2024 Programming Live Q&A
Join us for a live Q&A on Thursday, December 21, 2023, at 7 PM ET. We will be answering all your questions about our 2024 programming. Please register ahead of time. If you cannot attend live, you will be sent a link to the recording.
Celebrating 25 Years of Launching Futures!
This past Thursday, we celebrated 25 years of “igniting dreams and launching futures!” It was an unforgettable evening with our founders, friends, partners, and supporters…
SAIC Advances STEM Education and Empowers Future Space Explorers as the Founding Legacy Member
VASFA is proud to announce the continued support of Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) as a Founding Legacy Member.
Cast Your Vote!
Our 2023 Space Adventure Campers have submitted beautiful designs for this year’s mission patch. It’s a special year as we celebrate our 25th anniversary. Check out the designs and vote for your favorites!
Launching the 25th!
On Friday, February 24, 2023, we were joined by special guest Tim Gagnon as he helped us unveil the 25th Anniversary logo he designed for us. Learn more about the design and how to get a limited edition patch.
2023 Programming Live Q&A
Join us for a live Q&A Wednesday, January 4, 2023, at 7 PM ET. We will be answering all your questions about our 2023 programming. Please register ahead of time. If you cannot attend live, you will be sent a link to the recording.
Rocket Lab Awards $20,000 Community Grant to VASFA
While people anxiously await Rocket Lab’s upcoming launch of Electron, Rocket Lab is poised to launch new opportunities for local students, too, thanks to a partnership with Virginia Space Flight Academy.
Join Our Mission
As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, we rely on generous support from our STEM community and friends. Together we can make equitable, high-quality STEM learning accessible to all students through our summer Space Adventure Camp and year-round STEM Academy programs.
Hour of Code
VSFA is joining in on the largest learning event in history: The Hour of Code, during Computer Science Education Week (December 6-12). We will be hosting an online event, free and open to anyone in grades 2-10. The event will be held on Wednesday, December 7, 2022, at 7 PM.