Lerner S. - Kids who think outside the box (2005)(en)

240	Kids WHO THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF ROCKETRY–STUDENT EXPERIMENTAL PAYLOAD PROGRAM www.nar.org/nareduc.html

QUICK TAKE: Calling all future space cadets and NASA scientists. Here’s your first major assignment, a chance to be the inventor of your own rocket! Open to all kids who have the drive and determination to see their work literally soar! Plus, they will receive useful knowledge about the project. This program is definitely a dream come true for the science whiz!

AGE REQUIREMENT: All ages

BACKGROUND: A part of the educational services provided by the National Association of Rocketry, the Student Experimental Payload Program (SEP) was founded as a not-for-profit in 1990. SEP has helped launch countless experimental payload rockets, provided teacher workshops, and performed rocketry demonstrations across the United States.

DESCRIPTION: Providing hands-on experience in the field of aerospace technology, this program offers the stimulation of concepts and techniques utilized in advanced science and math.

Following the guidelines of scientific research and using the scientific method from initial concept to complete payload, the children are asked to construct a rocket that can carry a standardized payload provided by the SEP. Taking into consideration many different parameters of rocketry, they are required to track and monitor every stage of the launch, from preliminary design to post-flight evaluation.

OUR TAKE: Every child has looked skyward and thought about what’s up there and how things get into the sky. With rockets capable of reaching 3,000 to 10,000 feet, this is an

EXCEPTIONAL PROGRAMS, ADVENTURES, AND VOYAGES 241

ideal way for your child to investigate those questions. What could be more fun than blasting off something much heftier than a bottle rocket, and knowing the why and how it all works?

OUR RECOMMENDATION: Buzz Aldrin, Neil Armstrong, and William Pickering all began by planning, experimenting, and realizing their dreams on the ground. This is a perfect opportunity for your child to begin to aim skyward, blast off, and explore some new space. Working together with other kids will also give your child the chance to make new friends with similar interests.

SCIENCE QUEST Science program for girls

Seton Hill University 1 Seton Hill Drive Greensburg, PA, 15601 [phone] (tel.) [phone] (fax.) [e-mail]

QUICK TAKE: Grab your white coat and microscope. This allgirls program allows you to experience what’s happening at the core of laboratory sciences. A week-long, hands-on lab experience is bolstered by field trips, women-in-science guest speakers, and recreational activities. Students work in the biology, chemistry, and computer labs of Seton Hall University.

AGE REQUIREMENT: Science Quest I: girls entering grades 7–9; Science Quest II: girls entering grades 10–12.

FEES: Call for information.

242	Kids WHO THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX

BACKGROUND: Science Quest is located in Greensburg, PA, at Seton Hall University.

DESCRIPTION: With an intensive dose of math and sciences, Science Quest participants will spend a week in the biology, chemistry, or computer labs of Seton Hall University. Each program participant becomes a member of an “expert group” and via a team approach investigates themes in biology, chemistry, forensic sciences, and nutrition. Handson experiments are conducted in the labs. Students learn what science has to do with what we eat and wear, how science affects our environment, and other similar topics. Women scientists give talks on the use of science in their professions.

Science Quest I is geared toward girls who are entering grades 7–9; while Science Quest II, with a more advanced approach to the various sciences, is designed for girls who are entering grades 10–12. There is also dormitory life with plenty of opportunities for recreational activities, such as swimming, hanging out with friends, playing games, and so on.

OUR TAKE: These programs offer high quality, hands-on experiences in the various laboratory sciences. Science Quest I offers something most middle-school students don’t have, which is access to college-level labs. Science Quest II affords high school students the opportunity to strengthen their laboratory experience, and receive exposure to different and new fields,. The emphasis on women in science can definitely have a positive effect on your daughter’s interest in, passion for, and pursuit of success in the health and life sciences.

OUR RECOMMENDATION: Future Marie Curies can a get a good head start here.

EXCEPTIONAL PROGRAMS, ADVENTURES, AND VOYAGES 243

U.S. SPACE CAMP/ U.S. SPACE ACADEMY Space adventure camp

Reservations Department PO Box 070015 Huntsville, AL 35807-015 [phone] [e-mail] www.spacecamp.com

QUICK TAKE: The U.S. Space Camp is a life-changing experience. This program challenges kids and parents of all ages to meet the challenges NASA astronauts face in a simulated environment. Although this program offers kids and parents a good time, it is also mind expanding with a great staff, program, and mission. Almost every kid dreams at one time or another of becoming an astronaut, and the U.S. Space Camp fulfills that dream, if for only a week or a weekend.

AGE REQUIREMENT: Children must be in the 4th grade and at least 9 years of age (7 if with a parent). The Space Academy offers classes for older students ages 12–14, and the Advanced Space Academy is for students ages 15–18. There are also parent/child weekend programs and adult/ teacher programs.

DATES: The programs are year-round and can run 3, 5, or 7 days.

FEES: $749 per person for the 5-day program. This does not include transportation costs.

SPONSORSHIP/OWNERSHIP/ACCREDITATION: Operated jointly by

the U.S. Space & Rocket Center and the Alabama Space Science Exhibit Commission. Accredited by the American Camping Association.

BACKGROUND: The U.S. Space Camp was established in 1982 and has the largest number of graduated campers (almost 300,000) in the United States.

244	Kids WHO THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX

DESCRIPTION: Space Camp (ages 9–11), Space Academy (Ages 12–14), Advanced Space Academy (Ages 16–18), and Parent/ Child Space Camp (Ages 7–11) offer a variety programs for kids who are interested in experiencing a taste of what is involved in an astronaut training program. The programs are typically five to six days, but there are two-day programs for parents and children who want to go through the program together. There is a sister program called the Aviation Challenge which provides a comparable experience in the field of aviation.

The program reproduces real astronaut training, including such activities as simulated Space Shuttle missions, training simulators, rocket building and launching, and lectures about the past, present, and future of space exploration.

There is also the Parent/Child Plus program, which allows more than one parent and child to participate in the program. And for mothers and daughters who do not want a co-ed experience, the Sally Ride Space Camp for mothers and daughters was established.

OUR TAKE: This camp offers simulated space missions, “spacecraft accommodations,” and an attitude that is smart, motivating, and encouraging. The experience is incomparable. Space camp can help make one of your child’s brightest, far-reaching dreams come true. Not only will they be doing something they want to do, but they will be living, breathing, and eating the “Space” experience. They will receive a hands-on education that the traditional astronomy/space curriculum in school can’t provide. The facts and information learned at the U.S. Space Camp will stick in children’s minds for the rest of their lives. They will learn a new way to retain information that can only help them in all future endeavors.

OUR RECOMMENDATION: Tom Hanks, Ron Howard, and the other participants in the Apollo13 film trained at the U.S.

EXCEPTIONAL PROGRAMS, ADVENTURES, AND VOYAGES 245

Space Camp facility because of its authentic simulation of space training. If you’re star struck, you might be impressed, but it’s the quality of the staff, the magic, and integrity of the experience that we support. We give it a true “thumbs up.”

246	Kids WHO THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX

OTHER SIGNIFICANT

PROGRAMS/SERVICES

here are always programs and services that are consid- Tered unique and helpful. This section discusses the Young Plaza Ambassadors program, which provides exceptionally different programs to seven hundred middle schools around the country. This program was actually started for the guests of the Plaza Hotel in New York City, and it has become so successful that it now attracts membership from middle schools.

CampSource is a camp/program consulting firm that guides you to an appropriate program for your child.

YPA (YOUNG PLAZA AMBASSADORS PROGRAM)

Lyudmila Bloch, Director Plaza Hotel

Fifth Avenue and 59th Street New York, NY 10019

[phone] www.plazaypa.com

QUICK TAKE: The Plaza Hotel is known for its rich history and its role as one of the leading hotels in New York City. The Young Plaza Ambassadors (YPA) program celebrates legendary Plaza adventures, as well as reinforces and develops children’s leadership and cultural skills. In the spirit of the hotel’s dedication to excellence, the Plaza developed a program to help educate a new generation of sophisticated and cultured young people.

AGE REQUIREMENT: 6–16

DATES: Year round

EXCEPTIONAL PROGRAMS, ADVENTURES, AND VOYAGES 247

FEES: Free to all Plaza guests traveling with children and staying for at least two nights. Nonguest membership, $150.00/ year.

BACKGROUND: The YPA began in 2000 and has received rave reviews from every publication in which it has been reviewed.

DESCRIPTION: The YPA is a self-guided exploration that connects traveling families with cultural landmarks, museums, retailers, restaurants, and other exciting New York attractions. Members are equipped with VIP passes, priority admissions, complimentary tickets, and Home Alone sundaes (served on request).

The program offers a variety of educational activities, such as gourmet cooking classes, etiquette instructions, and veterinary workshops (“Junior Vet Clinic”). On their first visit to The Plaza, the children receive “welcome kits” with a YPA wallet, Plaza dollars, discount coupons, gifts from various partners, as well as planning services (i.e., personal shopping help at FAO Schwartz, a calendar of events, and an entertainment schedule) that make it easy for families to explore New York and its kid-friendly venues. The YPA’s etiquette classes may seem outdated, but how often have you been in a business meeting or situation and felt clueless about using the right fork?

OUR TAKE: It is a program like no other. It is fun and the classes emphasize skills that a child can use daily.

OUR RECOMMENDATION: More than 6,000 individual members enjoy the YPA program to date, including students from 7,000 middle schools in the New York tristate area. Call them when you are in New York City, and see what they have cooking . . .

gourmet cooking, that is! This program is an experience that you won’t forget.

248	Kids WHO THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX

CAMPSOURCE

Camp Consulting and Referral Service

Abby Shapiro, Director 92 Deborah Road Newton, MA 02459 (888) 985-CAMP (2267)

[e-mail]

QUICK TAKE: CampSource is a remarkable service that takes the time to match children with the best program available to them, based on their personalities, interests, talents, and abilities. It is a great place to begin when looking for a special experience for your child. The amazing part of the service is that Abby Shapiro, the director, is there not just to make the sale, but she is present throughout the course of the program to fix any problems. So not to worry if a camp experience isn’t working for your child during his or her stay. Shapiro will work with you to solve any and all concerns.

BACKGROUND: CampSource is a free service dedicated to helping you find the best possible match between a summer program and your child. The agency’s main goal is to “help parents understand which summer experience is best suited for their children.” CampSource makes it a top priority to learn everything about the child and how he or she wants to spend the summer before spending time with both the parents and child to further understand their needs.

DESCRIPTION: CampSource experts have been able to establish relationships with directors by talking with them all winter and visiting them all summer. The result is first-hand knowledge to pass along to parents.

OURTAKE: We have interviewed several parents who have used the service and they raved. CampSource is a good way to navigate the hundreds of programs out there. Abby Shapiro, the

EXCEPTIONAL PROGRAMS, ADVENTURES, AND VOYAGES 249

director, takes her work seriously. She is one of the best in the business, and we got the feeling that she seriously cares about the child after her placement. We give it a rave review.

RECOMMENDATION: Many parents we have contacted have given high marks to this service. We also contacted other comparable services, which did not follow through on camp suggestions, counseling services, and so on. Many of the other services lack the experience of CampSource. Shapiro’s staff has years of experience, which makes it easier for you to find the perfect program to fit your child’s interests at no cost. CampSource is dedicated to finding the best summer programs for hundreds of kids across the country. That’s what its promotional material states . . . and we definitely agree.