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Free Virginia Space Grant Consortium Programs-
Virginia Space Coast Scholars (VSCS) – 10th grade students – VSCS explores the launch platforms at NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility. This online course introduces students to orbital and suborbital flight. Selected scholars who successfully complete the course may be invited to a residential summer academy at Wallops Island. https://vsgc.odu.edu/spacecoast
Virginia Aerospace Science and Technology Scholars (VASTS) – 11th and 12th grade students – VASTS is an interactive online course focusing on NASA’s human spaceflight missions. Selected scholars who successfully complete the course may be invited to attend a residential summer academy at NASA’s Langley Research Center. https://vsgc.odu.edu/vasts
Virginia Earth System Science Scholars (VESSS) – 11th and 12th grade students – VESSS focuses on using NASA’s Earth-observing satellites to investigate our planet’s complex systems. Selected scholars who successfully complete the course may be invited to a residential summer academy at NASA’s Langley Research Center. https://vsgc.odu.edu/vesss
Each program is: free of charge to students; delivered online, with flexible scheduling for accessibility; designed to foster 21st-century skills including teamwork, research, and problem-solving; taught and mentored by STEM professionals and educators.
Applications close October 25. Please visit www.vsgc.odu.edu for more information.
Applications are now available for the Summer Residential Governor’s Schools.
All sophomores and juniors are eligible to apply. These programs are run by the Commonwealth and provide opportunities for high school gifted students to explore professional and university environments through mentorships and academic enrichment. Information and applications can be found at: https://www.doe.virginia.gov/teaching-learning-assessment/specialized-instruction/governor-s-schools/summer-residential-governor-s-schools.
Maggie L. Walker students are grouped together and are not viewed as applicants from their respective school divisions. Applicants should be committed to attend; our school loses a slot if a student is accepted and does not participate. Questions about the programs or application process can be addressed to Joy Cobb, sophomore and junior counselor at jcobb@gsgis.k12.va.us.
Academic Programs
Academic Programs: Humanities; Mathematics; Science and Technology; Agriculture; Life Sciences and Medicine; Engineering (NASA) (must be 16 by June 18, 2027 and a U.S. citizen); Marine Science.
We can send a total of one nominee for this entire area, with two slots for the School for Agriculture. Students should submit applications to Joy Cobb in the counseling department by January 11, 2027. Please do not submit teacher recommendations at this time. This will give us enough time for our school selection committee to choose which students to nominate, and in turn solicit teacher recommendations for these nominees.
Governor’s Foreign Language Academies
Academies: Full-Immersion Academies in French, Spanish, German; partial-immersion in Japanese Language; and Latin Academy.
Each academy allows one nominee from our school. Interested students should talk directly with their language teacher soon. Our foreign language department determines who is nominated from our school. If interested, please contact your language teacher. The deadline for completed application forms January 31, 2027.
Visual and Performing Arts Program
Areas of Study: Dance, Theatre, Visual Art, Instrumental Music, Vocal Music.
We can send a total of five nominees for this program, one per area of study. Interested students should talk directly with their fine arts teacher so that we have time to submit the Applicant Report for Site Adjudication form by November 19, 2026. The final application is due February 6, 2027.
Summer Opportunity Search Sites-
Additional information about summer opportunities are available on Naviance.
Information about free programs or internship are available by accessing the College tab and then clicking scholarship list.
Information about programs that have fees are available by accessing the College tab and then clicking enrichment programs.
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