Space Camp: Don’t let the rocket leave without you!

`Reaching for the stars’ is no longer just a fanciful idea. Space exploration is ever increasing and NASA has many plans underway for robotic and human exploration of Mars. There have been numerous proposals for returning to the moon, and one of the biggest and most exciting undertakings is the International Space Station. Paralleling these plans, are more and more job opportunities, other than engineers and rocket scientists in the aerospace industry. For example, a permanently manned space station requires food services, waste management, doctors, dentists, etc. It’s little wonder, then, that a new fun activity, space camp, is available for children to help them find out about living in space.

We sometimes do not realize how much we depend on what goes on above our planet. There are over 7000 satellites in orbit around the planet. These satellites are designed, built, deployed and maintained by the aerospace industry. Weather forecasting without the use of weather satellites in orbit, is unheard of. And the number of communications satellites is ever increasing.

For school age students these days, human presence in space is a constant event. The Russian space station Mir has been constantly manned since it's launch in 1986. NASA's space shuttle is nearly a monthly event. It is truly an exciting time to witness humankind's ascent into space. Young minds are stirred at the thoughts of new worlds and star filled skies.

For kids between the ages of 12 and 18, this summer could be a real blast at the Senior Space Odyssey and the Junior Space Adventure. These are space camps sponsored by the Educational Center for Earth Observation, and is held at West Chester University during a two week period in July.

There are a host of activities that are a combination of fun and a learning experience for what it's like to live and work in space. There are hands-on activities in space science, astronomy, weather, computers and more.

Two of the most popular activities at previous space camps have been model rocketry and simulated weightlessness activities. In the model rocketry, participants built and launched rockets, some with payloads. They learned the principals behind rocket design and students were able to assess their success by analyzing the returned payloads with recovery teams.

Weightlessness was simulated by scuba diving, taught by professional scuba divers in an olympic sized pool. This is just how the astronauts learn! The students practiced assembling PVC pipe while being weightless, a challenging and quite fun task! Those who will work and someday live in space will have to know how to function in an weightless environment where a slight push can propel you across a room!

Other exciting activities include analyzing up to the minute data from weather satellites. The ability to track severe storms has saved countless lives and property. Students learn what makes the weather what it is and how our planet is affected by it.

Space cadets were also treated to exciting field trips to the Smithsonian Air and Space Museums where they got an up close look at B-52 bomber, Gemini rockets, as well as many other displays, a VIP tour and an IMAX movie.

So, if you want youngsters to boldly go where they have never gone before, to expand their horizons and to blast off to fun and adventure, then these programs can provide the means. For those interested, contact Nancy McIntyre, Director, at 436-2393 or E-Mail her at nmcintyre@wcupa.edu

    

© Copyright 1996 Kathy Miles and Charles F. Peters II