First Light

First Light Free Saturday Science School gives middle school students in the District of Columbia an opportunity to learn about topics within the field of Aviation and Flight through hands-on projects guided by STEM professionals.

Learn about Flight and Aviation! This free program allows students to experiment with new ideas, ask questions, and learn new science skills like keeping a lab book, giving presentations, and designing new experiments.

In 2024-2025, First Light students will focus on different forms of flight!

  • Fall: What is Flight?
  • Winter: Drones in Flight
  • Spring: What is propulsion? (Rockets)

Sessions run from 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm each week. (Except for the first session, which starts at 12:30 p.m. for orientation). Snacks are provided to students halfway through each session.

Registration for the Winter Term of the 2024-2025 school year is open!

Volunteer with First Light

First Light is seeking STEM professionals to serve as volunteer instructional assistants for the 2023-2024 school year. Volunteers commit to serve for one six-week term (three terms per year). Volunteers guide students through hands-on activities to explore scientific questions.

Students will continue exploring flight and aviation during the Winter Term, focusing on drones! Students will learn the history of drone development, how drones operate differently from planes, interact with scientists using drones in the field, and construct their own drones in teams. 

To apply to be a volunteer, please complete the Volunteer Application.

Outcomes

Alumni choose STEM! Of the students who were in this program 2008-09, 39% are now pursuing college degrees with a STEM focus.

Alumni return for more FL! Over the last 10 years, 64% of students return for more than one term. 43% return for more than three terms.

First Light is supported, in part, by the GM Foundation.