MSU and AAUW host Space Trek 2017
Morehead State University’s Craft Academy for Excellence in Science and Mathematics and the Space Science Center joined forces with the American Association of University Women (AAUW), to host the sixth annual SpaceTrek camp from July 8 through July 15.
SpaceTrek is a space science camp for young women entering their sophomore, junior or senior year of high school.
The workshop/camp is designed for girls interested in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) who would like to learn more about space and engineering through hands-on activities under the guidance of Craft Academy staff.
Working as a team, participants’ build a small satellite, attach it to a large helium balloon and launch it from the roof of the Space Science Center. Participants operate a portable satellite tracking station to collect temperature data being transmitted by the satellite. After the launch the participants interpret data and draw conclusions to be presented.
SpaceTrek 2017 participants (name, school and hometown, state) are: Brooke Asher, Elizabethtown High School,Elizabethtown; Allison Blevins, Montgomery County High School, Mount Sterling; Elizabeth Bowling, Henry Clay High School, Lexington; Katie Burton, Floyd Central High School, Floyd Knobs, Indiana; Natalie Cooper, Oldham County High School, LaGrange; Lilth Embury, Lafayette High School, Lexington; Shelby Fraley, Elliott County High School, Sandy Hook; Sydney Gordon, Henry Clay High School, Lexington;Madison Hall, Elizabethtown High School, Elizabethtown;Madison Holmes, Mason County High School, Mayslick; and Megan Hudnall, George Rogers Clark High School, Winchester;
Lillian Hume, Riverview Opportunity Center, Shepherdsville; Natalie Hutchinson, Wayne County High School, Monticello; Veronica Kruth, homeschooled, Morehead;Madeleine Lueders, Hillsboro High School, Hillsboro, Ohio;Sara-Grace Marsh, Fayette Learning Center, Lexington; Kendra McDowell, Union County High School, Sturgis; Leanna Shelton, Breathitt County High School, Vancleve; Kaitlyn Snyder, North Oldham High School, Goshen; Rachel Toll, Christian Academy of Louisville, Shepherdsville; Madison Turner, Louisville Holy Cross High School, Louisville; Haylee Winters, Boyd County High School, Catlettsburg; Sydney Winters, Boyd County High School, Catlettsburg; and Camryn Zornes, St. Joseph Central Catholic, Ironton, Ohio.
Jennifer Carter, Craft Academy assistant director of academic services, SpaceTrek co- director and former high school physics and astronomy teacher at Rowan County Senior High School, along with Taylor Roland, recent Craft Academy graduate, served as instructors during the camp.
Female mentors are a large facet of the camp. Therefore, one of the objectives of the camp is to instill confidence and a “can do” attitude.
MSU alumna and SpaceTrek co-director, Kim Boggs, an AAUW member, participated in the non-curriculum based activities. SpaceTrek was created and spearheaded by Boggs and Carter along with Morehead State University and AAUW Kentucky.
Boggs and Carter, co-directors of SpaceTrek, recruit, fundraise and organize the camp each year with one goal in mind: empowering young women. Every detail of SpaceTrek from the curriculum, to activities, and the presentations are designed to show the campers that their hard work and determination can end in great results, especially in STEM fields.
The SpaceTrek program is funded by the Craft Academy and donations from AAUW Kentucky branches, members and community members.
Additional information may be obtained by contacting the Craft Academy at 606-783-2093, emailing spacetrekky@gmail.com, or by visiting the SpaceTrek website at www.spacetrekky.org.
SpaceTrek 2017 participants, from left front row, are Shelby Fraley, Lillian Hume, Lilth Embury, Elizabeth Bowling, Katie Burton, Rachel Toll, Megan Hudnall, Madeleine Lueders, Brooke Asher, Madison Turner, Camryn Zornes and Kendra McDowell. Back row from left, Veronica Kruth, Kaitlyn Snyder, Madison Hall, Allison Blevins, Leanna Shelton, Haylee Winters, Sydney Winters, Sydney Gordon, Natalie Cooper, Sara-Grace Marsh, Natalie Hutchinson and Madison Holmes.
