A unique summer camp designed to encourage girls to explore science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) degrees and careers is set to kick off later this month at MSU.
Space Trek, a week-long camp for girls entering their sophomore, junior or senior year of high school, gives participants a chance to work on space science related projects alongside MSU faculty members, aerospace engineers and undergraduate and graduate students in space science fields. The 24 students selected to attend the camp undergo a rigorous application process, and must receive a recommendation from a teacher, principal or other educator.
Some of the camp activities include:
- Learning the principles of electrical circuits and components
- Working with a mission team to build a small satellite
- Setting up a ground station for tracking and monitoring satellites
- Collecting and interpreting atmospheric data.
Space Trek was founded in 2012 with the goal of empowering young women with an interest in STEM by putting them in an environment with female role models who work in space science and engineering.
Although the focus of the camp is space science, Molly Simpson, of Morehead, who attended the camp in 2014, said it’s about much more. “It’s about teaching young women that they can be professional in their jobs, but also physically, mentally and emotionally,” Simpson said. “The ultimate goal of the program is to break down the ‘I can't’ mentality among girls.”
Space Trek is sponsored by Morehead State University, MSU Center for Regional Engagement, the American Association of University Women, NASA Kentucky and other public and private donors.
For more information about Space Trek, visit www.spacetrekky.org.
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