Virginia Earth System Science Scholars (VESSS) engages students in real world investigations of the Earth and its highly dynamic systems through the use of the latest NASA and NOAA research and data. VESSS provides a one-semester online course for high school juniors and seniors. High performing students are invited to a one-week residential summer academy at NASA Langley. A total of 185 students participated in the online program and 96 students attended the two academies. College credit is available through Thomas Nelson Community College (TNCC) at no cost to students for both the online course and the summer academy. The program is a partnership with the VSGC, NASA Langley, Hampton University, and TNCC. Partial funding is provided through a NASA MUREP Grant to Hampton University to help underwrite online course delivery. The bulk of funding is provided by the Commonwealth of Virginia.