|
Space Camp at Andøya Rocket Range was arranged
for the first time in the summer of 1996. The Norwegian
Association of Young Scientists initiated the idea of
a summer camp with this specific subject. Today the
camp is made possible by the joint efforts of Andøya
Rocket Range AS and the National Centre of Space-Related
Education (NAROM), in cooperation with the Norwegian
Space Centre and the European Space Agency (ESA).
The first Space Camp Andøya in 1996 was such
a success that the concept was developed further each
year. In 2001 Space Camp became a European event which
in 2002 hosted participants from 10 different countries.
Space Camp Andøya is special with regard to subjects
dealt with, the participants' real involvement in the
work and what they learn during the camp. The youths
at Space Camp work in groups on specific tasks which
are all related to the rocket launch at the end of the
camp. The students are treated as real scientists and
work on advanced problems using professional equipment.
The professors and scientists being around are valuable
resources and helpers, leaving all the actual scientific
work to the participants.
Andøya is fantastic! Situated 69 degrees north,
with the high mountains, the ocean, whales and the midnight
sun; clearly an exciting place to go for young people.
The conditions on Andøya and the facilities at
the Rocket Range are unique and attract scientists from
all over the world. Space Camp gives bright, young students
the opportunity to experience a week in such wonderful
surroundings.
Every summer around twenty-five youths from all over the world have
taken part in this event. The participants have been
attending their final years of high school, mathematics
and physics being their major subjects. These bright
young students get an absolute unique possibility to
experience the life of the scientists at Andøya
Rocket Range.
Some of Norway's, and even Europe's, best scientists
give lectures, and the participants also work in groups
with more hands-on work and calculations. The subjects
dealt with on Space Camp vary from the Northern Lights
to rockets, satellite communication in space as well
as astronaut training. In addition, we want to give the
participants the exciting feeling of a real campaign,
accomplished by relating the group work directly to
the final rocket launch.
On Space Camp we emphasize creating a good social atmosphere,
and the evenings and spare time are spent together.
Playing volleyball, climbing the mountain, and taking
a midnight swim before running to the sauna are some
of the memories the participants leave Andøya
with. We also strive each year to have as many girls
as boys on the camp, and this has not proved a problem
so far! Of course, being in the north of Norway we also
try to make the most of the surroundings; whale safari,
midnight sun and local attractions on Andøya.
The participants learn to exploit knowledge they already
possess, as well as broaden their understanding of applied
science. Through the work in groups they have to use
their creativity, and learn to co-operate.
No doubt, Space Camp can contribute to create an increased
interest for the natural sciences, and inspire young
people to work with this in the future.
The sky is not the limit, it's where the fun begins! |
