NASA WRATS – Only 16 Nationwide Selected for Prestigious Rocket Science Training at Wallops Island

American High School Academy (AHSA) proudly announces that Head of Schools, Mr. Reinaldo Valentino, has successfully completed the NASA Wallops Rocket Academy for Teachers (WRATS)—an exclusive, invitation-only aerospace training where only 16 educators nationwide are selected each year.

This prestigious program immerses participants in real-world rocket science at one of NASA’s most important research and launch facilities, with the goal of equipping educators to inspire the next generation of aerospace professionals.

NASA WRATS Rocket Science Training at Wallops Island – AHSA’s Reinaldo Valentino

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Immersive NASA WRATS Rocket Science Experience

Held at the NASA Wallops Flight Facility on Wallops Island, Virginia, NASA WRATS is unlike any other educator training in the country. Participants live and train inside a secured NASA launch facility—a rare opportunity even for industry professionals.

Over the course of the five-day program, Mr. Valentino and fellow educators:

• Witnessed a live sounding rocket launch and tracked its flight path.

• Studied rocket design, propulsion systems, and aerodynamics with NASA engineers.

• Explored payload integration and mission planning techniques used in real launches.

• Used OpenRocket software to simulate rocket designs, analyze flight trajectories, and test stability.

• Participated in hands-on STEM workshops designed for direct classroom use.

• Toured restricted NASA areas normally closed to the public, including mission control and rocket assembly areas.

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Bringing NASA WRATS Training Back to AHSA’s Campuses

Mr. Valentino’s completion of NASA WRATS directly enhances the learning opportunities at both AHSA locations:

• South Miami–Kendall Campus – 10300 SW 72nd Street, Room 427, Miami, FL 33173

• Hialeah–North Miami Campus – 11380 NW 27th Ave, Room 8350, Building 8, Miami, FL 33167 (conveniently located on the grounds of Miami Dade College North)

The Hialeah–North Miami campus offers students the unique experience of attending high school on a college campus, giving them access to Miami Dade College facilities and a collegiate learning environment while still completing their high school diploma. This location is also home to AHSA’s Aviation High School, a program nationally recognized for preparing students for aerospace careers through dual enrollment, industry partnerships, and hands-on training.

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How NASA WRATS Training Will Impact AHSA Students

By completing NASA WRATS, Mr. Valentino will integrate authentic aerospace engineering practices into AHSA’s Aviation and Aerospace Magnet Program. This means students will gain:

1. Engineering Design Skills – Using Fusion 360 for CAD modeling and OpenRocket for aerospace simulations, students will design and test rockets before building prototypes.

2. Real-World NASA Applications – Lessons will incorporate NASA mission protocols, safety procedures, and engineering problem-solving strategies.

3. Rocketry Club Projects – Through AHSA’s Rocketry Club, operated in partnership with the American Center for Aviation Innovation (AMCAI.org), students will design, build, and launch rockets—mirroring the WRATS training process.

4. Competition Opportunities – The Rocketry Club will prepare teams for local and national competitions such as The American Rocketry Challenge (TARC), where students compete on design precision and flight performance.

5. Industry Readiness – Students will graduate with a skill set aligned to high-demand aerospace, aviation, and engineering careers.

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The AHSA Aviation High School and Aerospace Magnet Advantage

Through its Aviation High School and Aerospace Magnet Program, AHSA bridges the gap between secondary education and professional aerospace careers. Students gain access to:

• Private Pilot & Commercial Drone certification pathways.

• Dual enrollment aerospace, engineering, and STEM courses through our high school on a college campus model.

• Hands-on rocketry and propulsion labs integrating Fusion 360 design and OpenRocket simulations.

• Training on advanced flight simulators and drone labs.

• Engineering challenges inspired by NASA’s own design and testing process.

By combining classroom instruction with applied aerospace projects, AHSA ensures students are not just learning theory—they’re practicing the same skills used by engineers at NASA, SpaceX, and Boeing.

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Why Rocketry Matters in Today’s STEM Education

Rocketry is more than just launching a model into the sky—it is a comprehensive STEM discipline that combines physics, math, engineering, and problem-solving. Through AHSA’s Rocketry Club and integration of WRATS content, students will:

• Calculate thrust-to-weight ratios.

• Understand stability and aerodynamic forces.

• Learn safe handling and launch protocols.

• Build teamwork and leadership skills through project collaboration.

These skills have direct career applications in aerospace engineering, aviation maintenance, drone technology, and defense systems—industries currently facing critical workforce shortages.

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Career Pathways for AHSA Aerospace Students

The aerospace industry is projected to grow significantly in the next decade, with thousands of high-paying jobs opening in:

• Aircraft & spacecraft engineering

• Unmanned aerial systems (UAS) operations

• Aerospace manufacturing & testing

• Defense and space exploration missions

Graduates of AHSA’s Aviation High School and Aerospace Magnet Program leave with industry-recognized skills, hands-on project experience, and the confidence to pursue careers or higher education in STEM fields.

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About NASA WRATS

The Wallops Rocket Academy for Teachers is one of NASA’s most selective educator training programs. Participants engage in mission-based learning, flight simulations, and rocket design while working alongside NASA scientists. The ultimate goal is to transfer this experience into student-driven aerospace innovation in schools across the country.

By bringing NASA WRATS training back to both the Kendall campus and the Hialeah–North Miami high school on a college campus, Mr. Valentino is ensuring South Florida students have access to an aerospace education experience rivaling top STEM academies nationwide.

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American High School Academy is proud to have a NASA-trained leader guiding its aviation, aerospace, and STEM initiatives. With this elite experience, AHSA continues to serve as South Florida’s launchpad for the next generation of scientists, engineers, and innovators.

📍 Learn more about AHSA’s Aviation and Aerospace Magnet Program: Visit Aviationhgihschool.com
📍 Learn more about AHSA’s Rocketry Club: Visit AMCAI.org
📍 Interested in joining? Enroll at AHSA today

South Miami–Kendall Campus
📍 10300 SW 72nd Street, Room 427, Miami, FL 33173

Hialeah–North Miami Campus (conveniently located on the grounds of Miami Dade College North)
📍 11380 NW 27th Ave, Room 8350, Building 8, Miami, FL 33167

📞 Call 305-270-1440 for more information