The Youth Aerospace School (YAS) of the Institute of Aerospace Engineering is celebrating its 10th anniversary. What started as a scientific and educational incubator for students in grades 5–11 has grown into a highly effective pre-university training system. Here, high school students immerse themselves in real-world research and engineering work long before they ever step into a university lecture hall.
Scientific Incubator: From Fundamentals to Spacecraft Design
The main difference between the Youth Aerospace School and traditional technical hobby clubs is its strong emphasis on actual scientific research and the mastery of modern engineering disciplines. YAS students conduct independent research, learn to defend their developments at conferences and competitions, and even publish articles in scientific proceedings.
A landmark milestone for the project occurred in 2024 when the Youth Aerospace School was officially integrated into the "Space Classes" project of the Roscosmos State Corporation. This solidified YAS's status as one of the key career guidance and outreach platforms for the aerospace industry in the region.
For the 2026/27 academic year, the updated curriculum includes a four-year cycle of advanced training:
- 1st Year: Lecture courses "Fundamentals of Astronomy" and "Fundamentals of Astronautics";
- 2nd Year: Lecture and practical courses "Programming in Astronautics" and "3D Modeling";
- 3rd Year: Lecture and practical courses "Microcontroller Programming" and "Experimental Rocketry";
- 4th Year: Lecture and practical course "Satellite Engineering".
In parallel, students receive specialized instruction in mathematics and physics. Practical and project-based group work is conducted in a specially equipped classroom. School students develop scientific and technical projects under the guidance of university faculty, postgraduates, and undergraduates. Furthermore, they regularly participate in excursions to university laboratories, departments, and institutes, and in the spring, they launch pneumatic-hydraulic model rockets.
Ten-Year Milestone in Numbers
Over ten years of operation, the project has demonstrated outstanding results in career guidance and outreach:
- 847 graduates have completed the full cycle of training and project preparation;
- Over 200 school students are enrolled in the school's courses annually;
- More than 100 scientific and educational events have been organized and hosted at the university.
Practical Value
A systematic approach to project-based activities helps high school students develop a clear understanding of their future profession and master essential teamwork skills.
Ilya, YAS alumnus: "YAS serves as an effective social elevator, bringing together motivated students from all over the region. Beyond technical knowledge, the school develops crucial soft skills—the ability to argue one's position and present results effectively. Participating in YAS conferences provides a high-quality overview of the current challenges in modern astronautics and a solid foundation for university studies."
Nikita, YAS alumnus: "The school's conferences became my first platform where I could not only present my project but also receive expert feedback. It is an ideal environment for scientific interaction and the formation of early engineering teams."
Mentorship and Development
The project is directed by the School's Director, Olga Starinova. Lectures, laboratory sessions, and scientific supervision of project groups are provided by faculty members, postgraduates, and students of Samara University.
Over the past decade, the Youth Aerospace School has proven its status as a key element of the university's pre-university training system, actively building the talent pipeline for the domestic aerospace industry.
Text by Tatyana Starostina
