New Aeronautics Competition for High School and College Students

Nov. 27, 2007

J.D. Harrington
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-5241
j.d.harrington@xxxxxxxx

Emily Sturgill
Langley Research Center, Hampton, Va.
757-864-7022
emily.r.sturgill@xxxxxxxx

RELEASE: 07-261

NEW AERONAUTICS COMPETITION FOR HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE STUDENTS

HAMPTON, Va. - A new aeronautics competition encourages high school
and college students to share their ideas of future aircraft with
NASA for a chance to receive trophies, student internship offers and
cash prizes.

The Fundamental Aeronautics Program of the Aeronautics Research
Mission Directorate recently announced this new competition for the
2007-2008 academic year. The competition challenges students to write
about the next generation of aircraft, what they would look like and
how they would operate.

For the competition, high school students will write a research paper
that explains ideas for a future aircraft that could revolutionize
passenger and cargo travel in the year 2058. Papers should include
sections on fuel, environmental effects, noise levels, runway length
and conditions, operating costs, passenger and cargo loads, and
service operations.

A group of federal, university, industry and other expert
representatives will judge the high school entries, which are limited
to 12 pages. Entries will be judged on how well students focus their
essays and meet four basic criteria: informed content, creativity and
imagination, organization, and writing. Subject to availability of
funds, team entries can win cash awards up to $1,500 and individual
entries up to $1,000.

College students are challenged to write about their designs for the
next generation of 21st-century aircraft. Design considerations
include reduced environmental impact, reduced noise, daily operations
on short runways, cost analysis for production and operation,
passenger and cargo limits, structure and materials, and engines.
Students should also briefly describe three valid scenarios for
potential use of this vehicle in the year 2058.

Each college entry is limited to 25 pages and must be sponsored by a
supervising or advising faculty member. Winning entries may be
invited to a student forum sponsored by NASA and/or industry, receive
offers of student internships, and receive other prizes, including up
to $5,000 cash, depending on available funds.

College entries will be judged by how well they address all aspects
of
the problem they chose to discuss, including the following criteria:
innovation and creativity, discussion of feasibility, a brief review
of current literature, and a baseline comparison with the relevant
current technology, system or design.

These two competitions have different eligibility and submission
requirements. To learn more about the competition, visit:

http://aero.larc.nasa.gov/competitions.htm


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