HOUSTON, Nov. 4, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- NASA is offering high school juniors in Texas an opportunity to explore their interests in space exploration and careers through the High School Aerospace Scholars (HAS) program.

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Nominated by Texas state legislators, selected participants will engage in online forums focusing on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) topics and complete activities focused on space missions, the International Space Station, the moon, Mars and beyond to qualify for a six-day summer experience at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston.

During the summer experience, students will work on a team-oriented Mars exploration project with a Texas teacher and a NASA engineer or scientist mentor. Students may receive a science elective credit toward graduation upon successful completion of the project.

To be eligible, students must be U.S. citizens, residents of Texas and high school juniors with an interest in STEM studies. Students also must have access to the Internet and e-mail, and be able to commit to the program for one year.  

HAS is sponsored by NASA and funded by the State of Texas, Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and the Rotary NASA, at no cost to the participants. The program was developed in 1999 to encourage more students to pursue studies and careers in STEM. More than 7,000 students from across Texas have participated to date.

The deadline is approaching quickly. Visit the High School Aerospace Scholars website for more information: http://has.aerospacescholars.org.

To apply, visit: http://has.aerospacescholars.org/apply.

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SOURCE NASA

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