The Antelope Valley Times

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Palmdale Aerospace Academy wraps Summer Science Academy

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PALMDALE – The Palmdale Aerospace Academy this week held a Summer Science Academy that provided hands-on, interactive activities for students entering the seventh and eighth grades this fall.

Around 70 students attended this year’s Summer Science Academy, where they explored engineering careers through activities that were designed to challenge them while making science and learning fun.

The focus of the five-day academy was rocketry, beginning with simple straw and water bottle rocket construction and launching, and ending with construction and launching of solid fuel model rockets.

The goal of the workshop was to grow interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM)classes.

“This summer rocketry program brings STEM to life. It changes the way students see learning and promotes a lifelong interest,” stated Megan Tucker, one of the STEM instructors. “It also demonstrates how science and math can relate to real life situations, answering the questions that all teachers face-‘Why do I have to know that?’ and ‘When will I use that in the real world?’- by using exciting concrete examples.”

Funding for the Summer Science Academy came, in part, from a Title V grant designated to expand educational opportunities for Developing Hispanic-Serving Institutions (DHSI).

“The students that attend the programs during the summer get that extra head start when it comes to starting school in August,” stated headmaster Dr. Laura Herman. “It is truly amazing to see how much these students love to learn about technology. They don’t see being here as school and learning, it is just fun.”

[Information via news release from The Palmdale Aerospace Academy.]

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2 comments for "Palmdale Aerospace Academy wraps Summer Science Academy"

  1. Two of our children attended the Science Camp and had a great time! Our son was excited our daughter didn’t think she would enjoy it, the first day they both came home talking about everything they learned. I highly recommend the camp for anyone that has a child entering 7th or 8th grade. We have another daughter eager to attend next year.

  2. The Summer Science Academy was well organized and worthwhile. Our daughter was inspired by the genuinely passionate instructors and fun hands-on activities.
    Thank you to all the organizers and especially to the great teachers!