Morehead State University welcomed 23 girls to campus July 6-14 for SpaceTrek, an annual residential summer camp that encourages young women to explore science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields.
The camp was open to girls entering their sophomore year of high school with interests in space science and engineering. It is a collaborative effort between MSU's Craft Academy for Excellence in Science and Mathematics, the MSU Space Science Center and the American Association of University Women (AAUW).
Participants in the camp worked in teams to build a small satellite, attach it to a large helium balloon and launch it from the roof of the Space Science Center. They then operated a portable satellite tracking station to collect temperature data being transmitted by the satellite. After the launch the participants interpreted data, made conclusions and presented their findings.
Kentucky Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes visited the camp to participate in an atmospheric mission and launch a weather balloon equipped with a CricketSat to measure the temperature of the atmosphere. She also declared participants in this year’s camp Kentucky Ambassadors and made an educational donation of SpaceTrek toolboxes for each camper.
Kentucky House Minority Floor Leader and MSU alumnus Rep. Rocky Adkins visited the camp on Thursday, July 12, and spoke to participants about the importance of STEM education.
Twyman Clements, co-founder and CEO of SpaceTango in Lexington, sponsored the CricketSat mission.
Participants in this year's camp were:
Jessica Allen, Liberty, Casey County High School
Alayna Bennett, Georgetown, Craft Academy for Excellence in Science and Mathematics and Scott County High School
Marissa Blair, Morehead, Rowan County Senior High School
Hannah Botts, Lexington, Tates Creek High School
Brenna Bommer, Manhattan Beach, California, Mira Costa High School
Alexis Dahnwei, Owensboro, Owensboro Innovation Academy
Jocelyn Damron, Ashland, Ashland High School
Cherokee Drake, Rineyville, North Hardin High School
Laurel Embury, Lexington, STEAM Academy
Abril Garcia, Morehead, Rowan County Senior High School
Hunter Hayden, Henderson, Henderson County High School
Emily Hester, Louisville, Oldham County High School
Ellie Hite, Bardstown, Thomas Nelson High School
Rebekah Howard, Ashland, Ashland Paul G. Blazer High School
Allie Lewis, Olive Hill, Lakeside Christian Academy
Leah Nichter, Louisville, Assumption High School
Maggie Qin, Morehead, Rowan County Senior High School
Diksha Satish, Frankfort, Western Hills High School
Lydia Saunders, Owingsville, Bath County High School
Paizley Stewart, London, North Laurel High School
Grace Stubblefield, Ashland, Boyd County High School
Jadee Sweet, Clay City, Powell County High School
Victoria Vela, Cynthiana, Harrison County High School
For more information about the camp, visit http://www.moreheadstate.edu/spacetrek
To learn more about Morehead State's Space Science Center, visit http://www.moreheadstate.edu/ssc
To find out more the Craft Academy, visit http://www.moreheadstate.edu/craft-academy
