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Are you ready for your future to take flight? The Rice University Aerospace Academy, Fueled by Envision, is an incredible opportunity to spend 12 days in one of the epicenters of aerospace. During the program, you will gain invaluable hands-on career experience and exposure while learning from and engaging with leading minds in the space industry, gaining unique access to industry facilities, and hearing directly from a NASA representative on 21st century space innovations.

Summer High School Aerospace and Aviation Program Students

About the Rice University
Aerospace Academy

Do you see a future beyond the world as we know it?

The Aerospace Academy is an immersive program designed specifically for students who are interested in pursuing careers in field of aerospace and want to be at the forefront of the developments and demands of the future.

While staying on the campus of Rice University, you will enjoy daily forums from Rice's renowned faculty and receive unparalleled exposure to industry and government space scientists through exclusive site visits, which will provide you with a glimpse into your future. You'll also hear from a NASA representative and former NASA astronaut Dr. Leroy Chiao, who will share his personal stories and lessons from spaceflight and experience in technology companies.

Additionally, you'll participate a visit to the Lone Star Flight Museum to attend flight ground school, complete in a flight prep simulation, learn the importance of flight planning, and then apply what you've learned to operate a flight simulator.

Get on board with a world leader in the aerospace and aviation industry, and take the first step toward launching your career and discovering your true potential by attending the Aerospace Academy.

2025 Dates & Tuition

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CITY LOCATION DATES TUITION
Houston, TX Rice University July 5-16 $6,745

Tuition includes room & board, site visits & transportation during program, lectures, simulations, curriculum & materials, and faculty & staff.

We are currently evaluating all aspects of the Aerospace Academy and may make changes to the curriculum, site visits or program location to ensure the program meets the most up-to-date health and safety standards.

Program Highlights

Launch Your Own Satellite

Implement the full scope of the engineering design process during this challenging multi-day project. Over the course of the program, you will design, prototype, revise, and launch your payload on a weather balloon climbing up to 100,000 feet, which will collect information that you will then analyze.

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Exclusive Access

See what your future may hold during exclusive site visits. With each experience, you will gain a stronger understanding of everyday aerospace and aviation roles and applications, and how to soar above the competition on your path to success.

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Aerospace & Avation students engaging in a Rice University Faculty led forum
Rice University Faculty Forums

Participate in engaging forums led by distinguished Rice University faculty members that cover compelling industry topics.

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Interactive Skills Workshops

Gain the skills that you need to compete in these dynamic fields during workshops designed to help you develop and enhance essential 21st-century success skills.

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Endeavor to the Next Level

Dr. Leroy Chiao was only eight years old when he watched Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin walk on the moon. He dreamed of visiting space one day, but his road to becoming a NASA astronaut was not always easy. During his inspiring keynote address, Dr. Chiao will share awe-inspiring stories from his four space missions, including nail-biting tales of real emergency situations. He will also highlight how reaching the stars is important, but even more so is honing the skills to not only stay alive, but to thrive.

Tuition

Tuition Tuition for the Aerospace Academy covers most of the expenses incurred during the program. Tuition DOES NOT cover transportation to and from the program. LEARN MORE

Scholarships

Scholarships Envision by WorldStrides awards partial tuition assistance to qualified students each year based upon financial need, scholastic merit, leadership achievements, and other factors. LEARN MORE

Fundraising

Fundraising Let us show you how other students use fundraising to cover some or all of their tuition costs. Make fundraising part of your personal success story. LEARN MORE


Payment Plan

Payment Plan You may pay in full today or choose to use one of our payment options.
PAYMENT OPTIONS AVAILABLE

Aerospace Academy FAQs

  • Is the Aerospace Academy for me?

    If you are a high school student ready to build a path to success in college and a career in either aerospace or aviation, this program is for you.

    To attend a 2025 summer session of the Rice University Aerospace Academy, Fueled by Envision, you must be in grades 9-12 during the 2024-2025 school year. Most of our students are either nominated by educators or selected through our academic partnerships. If you have not been nominated or selected but are interested in taking advantage of the life-changing opportunities that the program provides, we encourage you to contact the Office of Admissions today.


  • What is included in tuition?

    Your tuition for the Aerospace Academy includes housing, on-site meals, supervisory personnel, program materials, all program activities, site visits, a Certificate of Completion, and local transportation during the program.

    However, your transportation between home and Houston, TX is NOT included in tuition. While attending the program, you'll need money for off-site meals, souvenirs, snacks, and other incidentals.

  • How will I be supervised?

    Your safety and well-being during the program is our highest priority. The program is structured so that you will reside in a safe, controlled environment. You'll be closely supervised by a professionally trained Envision team, including advisors who serve as educational facilitators and chaperones, security personnel, operations personnel, and a program coordinator.

    For over 40 years, Envision has achieved a stellar record of safely and successfully enriching the lives of students, providing them with superb educational experiences and professional supervision. Other Envision safety measures include:

    • Greeting students at the designated airport upon their arrival, providing shuttle service directly to the program site, and providing shuttle service back to the airport on Departure Day*
    • Maintaining an overall student-to-staff ratio of 8 to 1
    • Requiring all students to attend all activities
    • Checking rooms nightly and ensuring that students remain in their rooms
    • Having night monitors in place to support students who may become ill or who have an emergency during the night
    • Equipping all team members with two-way communication devices

     

    *There is an additional fee for shuttle service.

  • Where will I stay?

    Instruction and housing for the Aerospace Academy will take place on the Rice University campus in Houston, TX.

  • How many students share a room?

    Each room will house two to three students. You will have your own bed.

  • What is the code of conduct for this program?

    You are expected to abide by the Student Code of Conduct. You also must abide by and uphold all program rules. We expect you to conduct yourself as a mature and responsible leader who represents your school and community.

  • I am a student requiring specific accommodations. Can I still attend?

    Yes, we encourage you to enroll. Envision by WorldStrides believes in working with families to accommodate student needs and encourages the participation of students who feel prepared to meet the academic, social, physical, and emotional demands of the program environment. We may be able to provide appropriate auxiliary staff and services to assist students as needed if notified in advance. We encourage families, guardians, legal representatives, or educators to contact the Office of Admissions for more information and to discuss particular accommodations before applying for enrollment in the program.

  • Do I need to make my own transportation arrangements?

    Yes. Your tuition does not include transportation to and from Houston, TX. We recommend that you make necessary flight arrangements only AFTER you receive confirmation that you are officially enrolled.

    Shuttle service between the program location and the George H.W. Bush Airport is available on the first and last days of the program for an additional fee. Envision team members will be stationed in the airport to assist arriving students. Details about arrival windows and the airport shuttle service will be included in your personal MyEnvisionExperience.com web page after you enroll.

  • Can my parents attend the program?
    No. Your parents or guardians are not allowed to accompany you during the program. Gaining independence, including experiencing new things on your own, is an essential part of your growth during the program. However, it is perfectly fine for your family to travel with you to the program location and stay in the area while you are attending the program.
  • Can special dietary needs be met?

    We make every effort to meet the dietary needs of all our students, provided the request is submitted prior to the start of the conference. When you complete the Student Information Form, you will have the opportunity to make special dietary requests.

  • Can I use the campus facilities (gym, pool, etc.)?

    Students are not permitted to use university facilities such as the pool or recreation center.

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