Detroit elementary students are spending their sunny summer days in the classrooms of Wayne State University's Old Main building learning the fundamentals of science and space with the hopes of working on future NASA space missions as astronauts and scientists.

The Science, Engineering, Mathematics and Aerospace Academy (SEMAA) is hosting its annual summer session for grades K-8. It is holding a total of four one-week sessions. Those sessions started the week of June 23. They will continue through the week of July 21. The program is free.

The mission of Wayne State's SEMAA program is to stimulate interests and career focus in the areas of science, engineering, mathematics and technology, said SEMAA Program Director Marsha Cheeks. The curriculum is science-oriented, including aeronautics, engineering, mathematics and technology.

In addition to the summer sessions, SEMAA conducts the program during the school year.

There are three eight-week sessions on Saturdays during the fall, winter and spring semesters for grades K-12. The students and teachers are recruited primarily from the Detroit Public Schools. All students in the Detroit area are encouraged to apply. Those interested in applying can call the SEMAA office at (313) 577-3209.

The Detroit SEMAA program began in 1997. It is a partnership with Wayne State University, the Detroit Public Schools and the NASA Glenn Research Center.

Wayne State University is a premier institution of higher education offering more than 350 academic programs through 13 schools and colleges to more than 31,000 students in metropolitan Detroit.