Students Pursuing Aerospace Careers & Engineering
SPACE Camp @ FSU

2025 Students Pursuing Aerospace Careers and Engineering (SPACE) Camp- Rocketry is aimed at fostering long-term interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) by providing students with an engaging, hands-on, educational opportunity. The residential camp will be held from Monday, July 7th - Friday, July 11th on-campus at Fairmont State University.

APPLY HERE

SPACE Camp is a five-day program offered by the NASA IV&V Education Resource Center (ERC), and hosted by Fairmont State University, targeting up to 20 rising 9th grade - graduating 12th grade students that covers a unique STEM theme that changes every year.   The vision is for students to attend multiple years, gaining new insights into a range of STEM topics and careers in the areas of Weather and Climate, Rocketry, Robotics, and Aerial Drones.  The camp is led by NASA Education Specialists Dr. Todd Ensign and Josh Revels, along with college interns sponsored by the WV Space Grant Consortium and the NASA IV&V Program.  Regardless of your experience, education, or future aspirations, if you are interested in STEM and interested in making new and lasting connections with like-minded students, this is the camp for you! 

Participants will:

• -be introduced to NASA missions from NASA engineers and scientists,  

• -learn to design, build and launch a range of model rockets, 

• -become proficient in CAD and 3D printing to produce rocket components, 

• -learn to safely use a laser cutter to produce wooden components (fins),

• -assemble and solder their own digital altimeter

• -travel to Astrobotic Technologies and the Moonshot Space Museum in Pittsburgh,

• -visit and tour Ursa Major's Advanced Manufacturing Rocket Engine Facility in Youngstown,

• -meet WVU engineering students in the Experimental Rocketry Club and witness an enginge-test,

• -design a mission patch

• -have FUN!

The camp will feature presentations by NASA scientists, engineers, and educators and will be filled with stimulating science, engineering, and team-building activities to foster future innovation and provide professional development. SPACE Camp inspires and empowers students to develop into capable scientists to become the next generation of STEM leaders!

Cost: Thanks to generous donations and support from the WV Space Grant Consortium, A3L Federal Works, NASA IV&V Facility's Internship program, and Fairmont State University, all staff and supplies are provided for free.  What we do not have funding for is room and board that we pay directly to the university at approx. $100/day.  We suggest you make a $400/student donation to offset these expenses, but we do not limit access to this progam based on abilty to pay. If you can doinate more, that will offset for those less capable.  Checks can be made out to Fairmont State University and will be collected at student drop off on the first day of camp. 

Questions? Contact Todd.Ensign@FairmontState.edu or call 304-685-3146

NOTE to Students: You will be required to submit a short essay on the last page of the application form, to describe what interests you in science (or technology) and how your participation in this program will help you achieve your academic and personal goals (in no more than 250 words).