Palm Springs Air Museum brings science-learning opportunities to local students
Kendall Flynn
PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – The Palm Springs Air Museum is wrapping up week two of it’s inaugural Science of Aviation Rocketry camp for ages 10 to 14, giving local kids the chances to design, build and launch model rockets.
Organizers say the program is designed to “ignite curiosity and inspire future innovators.” The group of fifth through eight graders engages in hands-one activities at the Palm Springs Air Museum from Monday to Friday.
While some schools in the Valley provide aviation or rocketry programs, the Palm Springs Air Museum Education Programs Manager Maria Wren says there could be more opportunities for all students.
“Our goal is to be able to reach more of the students who may not necessarily have access to these kinds of programs in their own schools, in their own communities,” Wren said. “Make it something that is accessible to everyone.”
The group of up to 15 kids will learn rocket design and launch sciences based on the “Next Generation Science Standards,” according to the air museum. The students start learning Monday and work to design their dream rocket. By the last day of camp on Friday, they get to launch them on the air museum tarmac.
One local student named Julian even said the program is helping him in his future career goals and teaching him the basics of aviation and rocketry.
“I really want to have a future in aerospace, so I saw this as a great opportunity to learn the basics,” Julian said.
His model rocket gave him the chance to test his knowledge and make a successful project, with the hopes his new skills will carry into his future.
“We have to learn to make designs that counter drag and help life,” Julian said. “My rocket has two big fins to glide and two small fins to stabilize.”
Wren says even if her students don’t want to work in aviation like Julian, she hopes the week-long camp makes a lasting impact on their science-learning experience.
“I really hope that our students walk away loving science,” Wren said. “A lot of times our students feel like science is something they have to do. We want them to walk away feeling like science was something they got to have fun with.”
For more information on the Palm Springs Air Museum Soar Camp visit palmspringsairmuseum.org
Stay with News Channel 3 to hear from camp organizers and students on the rocket launch and the importance of science camps.