Montana Aerospace Scholars at the Montana Learning Center
Author: Matt Nelson
Matt Nelson
Located near the north shore of Canyon Ferry Lake, the Montana Learning Center (MLC) is partnering with NASA to host the Montana Aerospace Scholars (MAS) program, one of only 5 NASA High School Aerospace Scholars programs in the country. For more information, go to NASA Partnerships.
Designed for motivated high school students, MAS offers two competitive tracks: one for freshmen and sophomores (F&S) and another for juniors and seniors (J&S). More information and student applications are available for each track level on the NASA Partnerships webpage.
A Two-Phase Competitive Program:
Montana Aerospace Scholars begins with Phase One, which opens March 1. During this initial stage, students complete online coursework focused on space exploration, STEM concepts, and related career pathways. The curriculum introduces participants to real-world aerospace challenges while building critical thinking, collaboration, and problem-solving skills.
Students who successfully complete Phase One may be selected to advance to Phase Two, the MAS Summer Residency program held at MLC’s lakeside campus:
• Freshmen & Sophomores attend a five-day residency in late June.
• Juniors & Seniors attend their residency session in early July.
The residency experience immerses students in hands-on activities such as mission design, team-based engineering challenges, and proposal development—mirroring the collaborative work of real aerospace professionals.
Preparing Students for the Future:
Montana Aerospace Scholars is designed for students curious about the boundless opportunities space exploration offers. Beyond learning about rockets and planetary science, participants gain exposure to a wide range of aerospace and STEM careers.
Through teamwork and mentorship, scholars develop valuable skills that extend far beyond the program itself—communication, leadership, analytical thinking, and adaptability. The experience helps students envision and prepare for life after high school, whether that path leads to college, technical training, military service, or direct entry into the workforce.
Participation and Support:
According to Executive Director Ryan Hannahoe, the program expects approximately:
• 15 juniors and seniors
• 15–20 freshmen and sophomores
for this year’s cohort.
Scholarship assistance is available for students who qualify, helping ensure that motivated learners can participate regardless of financial circumstances.
For more information about Montana Aerospace Scholars and to apply, contact Ryan Hannahoe at MontanaLearningCenter@gmail.com or call 406-475-3638.
Montana Aerospace Scholars continues to inspire the next generation of innovators—right from the shores of Canyon Ferry Lake.
Ryan Hannahoe serves as Executive Director of the Montana Learning Center, where he has led the development and overseen the construction of its astronomy program. Before entering the field of science education, Ryan worked in astronomy and, during college, interned on NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope mission—the successor to the Hubble Space Telescope.
About the Montana Learning Center:
Located at scenic Canyon Ferry Lake, the Montana Learning Center is a statewide STEM education hub offering youth summer camps, teacher professional development, and Montana’s largest public-access telescopes. In partnership with Montana State University, MLC helps facilitate NASA’s Northwest Earth & Space Science Pathways (NESSP) program, expanding aerospace and Earth-space science education across Montana.
REMEMBER: Applications must be submitted by February 28th!
Article Images
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PhotoCredit: See captions
Image 1 Caption: MAS Application Promotion Post
Photo Provided by Ryan Hannahoe
Image 2 Caption: Ryan Hannahoe, the Executive Director of the Montana Learning Center, is standing by the 32-inch telescope.
Photo by Matt Nelson
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