The space summer camp, held at UofL’s Rauch Planetarium, is one of several on-campus education camps for kids. The week-long program focused on the mysteries of outer space and what it takes to be an astronaut through fun, hands-on activities. For one activity, campers sent film capsules soaring into the air by combining Alka Seltzer and water to create “rocket fuel,” for example. 

According to Space Camp Director Breanna Ausbrooks, the goal of the camp goes beyond space to get kids excited about any STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) field. “It doesn’t have to be space, but I really want to plant the seeds for them to want to learn more,” said Ausbrooks.

And what did the kids learn about spaceships? “That they are actually bigger and harder to drive than you think,” said camper Thomas Clayton.

Check out the video below to learn more: 

The academy is one of more than two dozen summer camps for kids organized and run by UofL faculty, staff and students. The media camp teaches the young women how to do research, shoot video, edit and make a final video presentation while, hopefully, piquing their interest in technology.

UofL English professor Mary P. Sheridan says middle school girls “drop out of STEM fields and if that’s where the jobs of the future are we don’t want girls to start weeding themselves out of these jobs of the future.”

Others who are closer to college are the high schoolers from across the region who attended the Summer Law Institute at UofL. They heard from lawyers and judges, toured judicial buildings in downtown Louisville and participated in a mock trial – all to get a feel for the legal field and whether they want to pursue a law degree.

“The most important part of this week was talking to the judge at the federal court. We heard about his job and what he goes through, but also the changes he can make to the community,” said Greg Schwartz, a student at DuPont Manual High School. That really inspired me and helped me figure out what I want to do.”