Capitol offers next round of popular Learn, Build, Launch Days for high school students to increase proficiency in STEM



In need of some weekend plans? Your mission awaits.

On Saturday, May 11, and Saturday, May 18, 2019, Capitol will host Learn, Build, Launch Days on the university campus in Laurel, Maryland, as part of a program designed to increase proficiency in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) for high school students.

Over the course of two Saturdays, junior engineers and future scientists will experience fun-filled, full-day sessions in which they will learn about the technology used by space industry leaders such as NASA, find out how to speak like a mission controller, plan their own spacecraft orbit, and participate in a simulated rocket launch, followed by a high-altitude balloon launch they create themselves.

Capitol is excited to partner with the Science and Engineering Partnership (SEP) for its latest offerings of Learn, Build, Launch Days, offered to participating high school students for free.

“Watching the kids from different schools interact is one of my favorite parts of the Learn, Build, Launch experience,” said Angela Walters, the university’s chair of astronautical engineering. “The participants come from different backgrounds, but they have a commonality: interest in exploring space. It’s okay to be a geek here. The hope is that students who participate in our program will go on to pursue additional STEM experiences.”

Learn, Build, Launch Days balloon launch

Capitol is home to the Space Flight Operations Training Center (SFOTC) that provides real-time training for aspiring space flight operators and engineers – by means of the actual simulation equipment used for training at NASA. The SFOTC houses a Galaxy Telemetry and Command system, used on more than 100 U.S. missions and international payloads, as well as a Virtual Spacecraft Dynamics Simulator, all made possible by the generous support of The Hammers Company.

Interested high school students can apply for the remaining May sessions and upcoming fall 2019 sessions by emailing a brief essay on how space interests them to SFOTC@captechu.edu. Submissions should include the student’s name, high school name, and GPA. In order to provide a personalized experience, group sizes are limited to approximately ten students, so be sure to apply today! Sessions run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and lunch is provided.

Capitol Technology University, founded in 1927, is the only independent Maryland university of its kind, dedicated to educating future science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) leaders in high-demand fields. Conveniently located in Greater Washington, DC, Capitol creates pathways for students to learn, build, and succeed in a practical, hands-on learning environment.

To learn more about Capitol’s degree programs in engineering, contact admissions@captechu.edu.