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    In-person Programme

    Aerospace

    by National Student Leadership Conference

    A hands-on residential aerospace engineering summer programme combining flight and space projects, industry insight, leadership workshops and campus life.

    Last verified: 4 Aug 2026Reviewed by:SSSean Stevens
    Aerospace

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    Aerospace Summer Programme at a glance: cost, dates and eligibility

    Current status

    Past

    Eligibility

    Grades 9-12

    Age range / Year group

    14-18

    Location / Region

    Durham; Los Angeles

    Cost

    $4,395; $4,495

    Duration

    9 days

    Format

    In-person residential

    Next deadline

    Not announced

    See similar programmes
    EngineeringSpace & physics

    Accommodation: Supervised campus dormitory

    Meals: Campus meals included

    Campus experience: Classrooms, roommates and tours

    Optional outcome: One AU college credit

    Aerospace Summer Programme summary

    Aerospace is a residential pre-college programme built around aviation and space-engineering projects, simulations and professional insight.

    Students design, build and test rockets, gliders, payload systems and other technology while exploring aerodynamics, propulsion, CAD and flight mechanics.

    It suits students who want practical engineering experience alongside leadership development and university-campus life.

    What is Aerospace?

    Aerospace is a National Student Leadership Conference pre-college programme focused on aviation and space engineering. Students apply the engineering design process while creating and testing technology such as unmanned aerial vehicles, rockets, gliders and payload systems.

    The experience combines technical workshops with industry speakers, educational tours and a leadership curriculum. Residential campus life adds experience of university classrooms, shared accommodation and living alongside peers with similar interests.

    Why Succeed highlights Aerospace Summer Programme

    • Students complete substantial team projects rather than only attending lectures.

    • The curriculum connects aerodynamics and propulsion theory with testing and iteration.

    • CAD, soldering and flight-force activities add practical engineering exposure.

    • Industry speakers and location-specific tours broaden understanding of aerospace careers.

    • Leadership workshops develop communication, resilience, listening and empathy.

    Who is Aerospace Summer Programme for?

    Best for

    Students who want hands-on aerospace engineering, collaborative projects, professional insight and a residential campus experience.

    Not ideal if

    You want a low-cost day course, a narrowly academic lecture series or guaranteed college credit within the main programme.

    Is Aerospace Summer Programme worth it?

    The programme can be worthwhile for students testing a serious interest in aerospace because it combines design, construction and testing with exposure to professionals and engineering organisations. The residential setting also develops independence and collaboration.

    The limitation is value for money: the published residential fee is substantial, and optional college credit costs extra. Families should compare the depth of the projects, included accommodation and trips with less expensive local engineering opportunities.

    A practical overview of cost, accommodation, meals, dates and provider details to review before deciding.

    Cost and what is included

    $4,395; $4,495; includes Supervised campus housing, On-campus meals, Course materials and academic expenses, Trips, tours and activities, Off-campus event transportation.

    Accommodation

    Supervised campus dormitory

    Meals

    Campus meals included

    Provider details

    Review the National Student Leadership Conference provider page and official sources before making a final decision.

    Dates and logistics

    9 days; Durham; Los Angeles.

    What to check before committing

    Confirm current dates, payment terms, travel arrangements, cancellation rules and what is included with the provider.

    Compare this programme with similar options before deciding on dates, cost, format and fit.

    Compare with similar programmes

    How much preparation does Aerospace Summer Programme need?

    Effort level

    High and immersive.

    Best started

    Begin planning two to three months before a preferred session, allowing time for enrollment, payment, travel and scholarship materials.

    Main challenge

    Turning engineering concepts into reliable team-built systems.

    Typical preparation

    • Review basic forces, aerodynamics and the engineering design cycle.

    • Practise explaining design choices and responding constructively to test failures.

    • Discuss residential independence, travel and budgeting with a parent or guardian.

    • Prepare scholarship documents early if financial support is needed.

    Useful if

    You already enjoy physics, engineering design or practical problem-solving.

    What do students do on Aerospace Summer Programme?

    Students move from core flight and engineering concepts into collaborative construction, testing, professional learning and reflection.

    Step-by-step process

    1. 1

      Explore aerodynamics, propulsion, flight controls and engineering design.

    2. 2

      Design and build an unmanned aerial vehicle and Mission to Mars components.

    3. 3

      Construct and test a team rocket for maximum flight time.

    4. 4

      Build a glider and launch system to test distance.

    5. 5

      Develop a lightweight, durable payload delivery system.

    6. 6

      Rotate through CAD, soldering, propulsion and flight-force activities.

    7. 7

      Build a wind turbine that generates direct-current electricity.

    8. 8

      Attend leadership workshops, guest-speaker sessions and location-specific tours.

    Aerospace Summer Programme dates and deadlines

    Next cycle not announced yet. These dates are from the latest verified cycle and should be used as a reference only.

    Eligibility and requirements

    • Ages 14-18

    • Current Grades 9-12

    • At least one high-school year completed

    • Summer after high-school graduation permitted

    • Academic excellence and leadership ability encouraged

    How much does Aerospace Summer Programme cost?

    Duke residential tuition

    $4,395 — 2026 nine-day session

    Funding or discounts

    • UCLA residential tuition: $4,495 — 2026 nine-day session
    • Summer scholarship: Usually $500-$1,000 — Financial need required
    • Payment plan: Monthly payments — No additional fee in 2026
    • Optional AU credit: $1,044 — Separate asynchronous course

    What's included

    Supervised campus housing, On-campus meals, Course materials and academic expenses, Trips, tours and activities, Off-campus event transportation

    How to apply to Aerospace Summer Programme

    1. 1

      Open the official NSLC enrollment portal.

    2. 2

      Create an NSLC ID if you do not already have one.

    3. 3

      Enter the student's birth date, gender and current grade.

    4. 4

      Complete the online enrollment application.

    5. 5

      Choose an available Aerospace session.

    6. 6

      Place the required deposit by card or arrange payment by check.

    7. 7

      Use the student portal to manage enrollment and session changes.

    What does Aerospace Summer Programme cover?

    The programme covers the following focus areas.

    Aerodynamics and flight

    Explore flight forces, air resistance, drag and control systems.

    Rocket and propulsion design

    Study propulsion while constructing and testing a team rocket.

    Aircraft systems

    Build a glider, launch mechanism and unmanned aerial vehicle.

    Engineering tools

    Develop introductory CAD, soldering and practical fabrication knowledge.

    Leadership development

    Practise communication, listening, resilience, empathy and self-awareness.

    Curriculum may be adjusted based on participant interests and current developments.

    Who teaches on Aerospace Summer Programme?

    Programme instruction is supported by practical aerospace workshops and guest speakers with professional experience. Past speakers have included engineers and leaders from NASA, the National Academy of Engineering, the United States Air Force and Lockheed Martin.

    Named speakers are past examples and are not guaranteed for a future session.

    Where do students stay on Aerospace Summer Programme?

    Residential plan

    • Campus dormitory: Students live in supervised university accommodation with roommates.
    • Meals: On-campus meals are provided through campus dining services.
    • Pastoral supervision: Team Advisors accompany groups and live on student floors as Resident Advisors.
    • Campus experience: Students use university classrooms and learn to navigate campus life.

    Students are housed with one or two roommates in their age range; the dormitory front desk is monitored 24 hours a day.

    What happens after Aerospace Summer Programme?

    After completing this programme, participants often pursue:

    Use aerospace projects as evidence of sustained subject interest.

    Build a stronger foundation for engineering or physics study.

    Reflect on aviation and space-engineering career options.

    Develop examples of teamwork, resilience and communication.

    Optionally complete a separate one-credit American University course.

    The college-credit option requires separate enrollment and payment and is completed online outside programme dates.

    Where does Aerospace Summer Programme take place?

    The latest verified cycle ran on the campuses used by NSLC at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, and UCLA in Los Angeles, California. Location-specific tours included aerospace, engineering and science organisations alongside city sightseeing.

    NSLC states that it is not sponsored by Duke University or UCLA.

    Aerospace Summer Programme FAQs

    The programme focuses on aviation and space engineering, including aerodynamics, propulsion, flight controls and the engineering design process.

    Projects include an unmanned aerial vehicle, Mission to Mars components, a rocket, a glider and launch system, a payload-delivery system and a wind turbine.

    Yes. Students are required to live in supervised campus dormitories and receive meals through campus dining services.

    Tuition covers housing, on-campus meals, course materials, academic expenses, trips, tours, activities and transportation for off-campus events.

    No. Travel to and from the programme is not included, and airport shuttles may carry an additional fee.

    Yes. Students must first enroll and place a deposit; most published awards are in the $500-$1,000 range and require demonstrated financial need.

    An optional one-credit American University course is available separately. It is asynchronous, completed outside the campus dates and requires additional tuition.

    Team Advisors accompany smaller groups during activities and also live on student floors as Resident Advisors. An administrative team lives on site.

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    Sean Stevens

    Content reviewed by

    Sean Stevens

    Co-founder, Succeed | Founder, Immerse Education (2012–2026)

    Sean works at the intersection of academic enrichment, programme quality and university preparation, with expertise in evaluating pre-university experiences for ambitious secondary school students.

    View author page

    Sources and verification

    Source types reviewed

    • AERO UCLA 2026 by NSLC - Flipsnack
    • AERO DUKE by NSLC - Flipsnack
    • NSLC Online Enrollment Portal
    • Get College Credit Hours & Gain College Preparation Experience | National Student Leadership Conference
    • UCLA High School Summer Programs | NSLC | Los Angeles
    • Duke University Summer Programs for High School Students
    • Youth Leadership Programs | National Student Leadership Conference
    • Frequently Asked Questions | National Student Leadership Conference
    • Summer Program Scholarships | National Student Leadership Conference
    • Learn from Experts at our Aerospace Summer Camp

    Succeed uses official provider information where available, but keeps this public page focused on comparison and planning inside Succeed.

    What we verified (on 4 Aug 2026)

    • Programme details checked

    • Dates and locations reviewed

    • Tuition verified

    • Eligibility reviewed

    • Enrollment process checked

    • Scholarships reviewed

    • Accommodation and meals checked

    • College credit clarified

    How Succeed uses this information

    We use source material to verify core facts, then show older cycle dates as reference when a current cycle is not available. Always check current application instructions before applying.