Space camp a favorite among world’s children

İZMİR - Anatolia News Agency

İzmir’s space camp provides children with an applied education about space sciences and social skills. AA photos

The world’s third space camp, in the western province of İzmir, is receiving keen interest from local and foreign students. The other two space camps are in the U.S. and Canada.

Speaking to Anatolia news agency, Space Camp Turkey representative Emre Aday said the summer program of the camp was already booked to capacity thanks to the keen interest of locals and foreigners. He added that the camp provided the children with an applied education about space sciences and the training program also aimed to teach children about social skills like adapting to teamwork, time management, problem solving and leadership.

Aday said the space camp was founded in 2000 and had given training to over 100,000 people from more than 50 countries.

“Our camp offers high-technology facilities like NASA-design astronaut training simulators, computers, science and hydroponic labs, robotic study rooms, a spaceship model, a ground control center, an observatory and a planetarium.”

He added that the new summer courses would begin on June 10, with prices at 600 Turkish Liras for Turkish courses and 660 liras for English courses. The courses continue for six days each time.

Completely booked
“Because there are only three space camps in the world and the participants spread the word to more people, we receive increased interest every year. We are completely booked for this summer and could accept no more reservations. We are preparing to host more than 1,300 children at our camp this summer. This year we are seeing an increased demand from countries like Poland, Italy, Greece, China, the U.S., Bulgaria and Russia, as well as Qatar and Dubai.”

He also said the camp could be the means for cultural convergence between the children and the camp program voluntarily organizes events to help children from different cultures learn more about each other. “These events are cultural sharing night, pool activities, different team games and film and dance nights, which also help the kids individually improve themselves regarding cultural issues.“

Children between the ages of 7 and 11 are allowed to participate in the program with their parents. Children between the ages of 9 and 15 can receive both education about space sciences at the camp and actively entertain themselves or relax.

The course program includes using education simulators prepared by NASA, a flight mission with spacecraft, applied astronomy education, scientific experiments in different labs, making a hot air balloon, thermal design activity and making and flying a model rocket. The program also includes a simulation of walking on the moon with a gravity chair.