NASA is offering high school junior girls from across the United States an opportunity to jump-start their future by participating in the Women In STEM High School (WISH) Aerospace Scholars program for 2013.

WISH participants will participate in online forums focusing on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) topics, and complete online activities to qualify for a six-day summer experience at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston.

During the summer experience, they will work with mentors to design a mission to Mars, interact with NASA female role models, and mingle with scientists and engineers as they learn about careers in STEM.

Applications are due Jan. 3.

Applicants must be U.S. citizens, female high school juniors with a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or higher and interested in STEM.

They must have access to the Internet and e-mail, be able to commit to the project for one year and participate in the Johnson summer program in 2013.

WISH Aerospace Scholars is sponsored by NASA’s Education Flights Project Office and offered at no cost to the participants.

Questions about WISH may be directed to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

To learn more about NASA’s Women In STEM High School Aerospace Scholars, visit http://wish.aerospacescholars.org/ .

For more information about NASA’s education programs, visit http://www.nasa.gov/education .