Local children reach for the stars at national Space Camp
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An ‘out of this world’ experience awaited students from Hull as they took part in Space Camp 2018 supported by Air Products (NYSE:APD) last week.
A total of 60 students aged 11-13 were selected from schools across England to take part in the week-long event, with 10 chosen from South Holderness School.
The junior astronauts spent four nights camping under the stars in Welshpool and learning all there is to know about space and science from the best in the business. A jam-packed programme of activities included hands-on sessions from astronaut in training, Dr Jackie Bell; BBC Stargazing Live presenter, Mark Thompson; astrophysicists Dr Megan Argo and Dr Steve Croft; event organizer, Air Products; and the RAF’s Youth and Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Team.
The space-centric youngsters got a taste of everything from rocket launches and liquid nitrogen demonstrations, to astronomy and human space flight to Mars. The week was capped off with a series of exciting space balloon launches that sent the students’ experiments up to the outer edges of the atmosphere.
With cameras and computers strapped to each balloon, the students tracked their rise and fall back down to earth; chasing them through the countryside to retrieve their experiments. They then had the chance to settle in for a cosmic film night where their unique space footage was screened for all to enjoy.
Lynn Willacy, STEM Ambassador UK and Ireland, Air Products said: “We’re thrilled to have organised this really special event for these very deserving young students.
“We’re passionate about getting the next generation engaged with STEM subjects and we hope this week showed just how varied and exciting they can be. Not only is it our 60th UK anniversary but it’s NASA’s 60th birthday this year too, so what better way to mark the occasion than with Space Camp!”< p/>
Students arrived at the camp in Welshpool on Monday afternoon (18 June) and took part in activities throughout the week with the balloon launch finale on Thursday (21 June).
As a world leading industrial gases company, Air Products invests heavily in nurturing UK talent and encouraging young people into science and engineering careers. This year’s Space Camp event forms part of a wider STEM engagement programme carried out in schools across the country, and part of the UK’s 60th Anniversary celebrations.
About Air Products
Air Products (NYSE: APD) is a world-leading Industrial Gases company in operation for over 75 years. The Company’s core industrial gases business provides atmospheric and process gases and related equipment to manufacturing markets, including refining and petrochemical, metals, electronics, and food and beverage. Air Products is also the world’s leading supplier of liquefied natural gas process technology and equipment.
The Company had fiscal 2017 sales of $8.2 billion from continuing operations in 50 countries and has a current market capitalization of about $35 billion. Approximately 15,000 passionate, talented and committed employees from a diversity of backgrounds are driven by Air Products’ higher purpose to create innovative solutions that benefit the environment, enhance sustainability and address the challenges facing customers, communities and the world. For more information, visit www.airproducts.com.