Weather Camp
Description & Benefits:
Modeled on the idea of Space Camp, develop an intensive camp for middle and high schools students. Provide training and experience in actual science related fields designed to excite young people about science, math and technology. Develop a real world program where kids get to experience practical application of what they are studying in school and can potentially study later in college. Build confidence in the ability to persue careers in science that they may not have been aware of and help build the next generation of scientific leaders.
UCAR/NCAR's role:
Help develop the curriculum and help provide real world tasks and applications that the students can participate in.
External roles:
Partners would be needed to help develop the curriculum, provide funding, staff the camp, and market it. Some potential partners inlude the University of Wyoming, Laramie County School District, City of Cheyenne, State of Wyoming. local organizations and businesses.
Research Conducted:
One of the team members from Leadership Academy, Pam Gillman, grew up in Huntsville, Alabama and watched the development first of the NASA Space Museum and then Space Camp and witnessed firsthand how exciting it is to see what programs like this can become. The community was already largely focused on science and having the opportunity to share this passion with children from many different locations and backgrounds was amazing. Over the years, it has helped share the values of the community with people from all over the world.
Additionally, the University of Colorado's Science Discovery program has many elements that could be incorporated in a program such as this. They have successfully been able to obtain support from local businesses and organzations and grew from a pilot program offering 10 summer classess in 1983 to serving over 30,000 students and 1,500 teachers statewide in 2006-2007.
For More Information:
http://www.spacecamp.com/
http://www.colorado.edu/ScienceDiscovery/