Girls space camp a success
Dozens of girl “space campers” spent Aug. 1 learning about science, technology, engineering and math careers that are possible in the field of space. Photo by Pam Clifton.
The all-girls space camp held Aug. 1 in Bonne Terre at the space museum has been deemed a success.
Kayce Amsden, the 4-H youth program associate for St. Francois County’s University of Missouri Extension, had heard the St. Francois County Rotary had a grant for a girl empowerment program.
“4-H leads the content for the Missouri S&T’s aerospace camp, so I had space on my mind getting ready for that,” said Amsden in a July 29 article. “Of course, having an amazing space museum in our county certainly made the idea more exciting.”
Thanks to the Rotary Club grant, the free “Girl Powered Space Camp” — the by-girls-for-girls event — was created through the combined effort among St. Francois County 4-H, Rotary Club, and The Space Museum and Grissom Center in Bonne Terre.
Designed for girls ages 8 to 13, about five dozen participants had signed up for the camp held at The Space Museum and Grissom Center in Bonne Terre.
Campers enjoyed a full day of STEM-related activities and projects, including robots, coding, rockets, crafts, and careers. They toured the museum, learned about the science behind rockets and other science fields, enjoyed space snacks, and much more.
Maddie Lasewicz, district executive for the Boy Scouts of America, is a member of St. Francois County Rotary and worked closely with Amsden to create this girls-only space camp.
Organizers indicated they hoped to repeat the camp experience next summer.
“Campers” have fun with toothpicks, gumdrops, learning and science. Photo by Pam Clifton.
Girls who attended the Rotary grant-funded space camp in Bonne Terre Aug. 1 got to see demonstrations and hear lectures to excite their interest in space. Photo by Pam Clifton.
Earlier this spring, The Space Museum and Grissom Center held a “Women in Space” symposium, and campers got to learn more about the visitors. Photo by Pam Clifton.
“Campers” have fun with toothpicks, gumdrops, learning and science. Photo by Pam Clifton.
