Pennsylvania Students Launch into Learning at the NASA Summer of Innovation Summer Camp Series

DOWNINGTOWN, Pa., Aug. 1, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Students across Pennsylvania are set to blast off into an out-of-this-world summer learning experience at the Summer of Innovation camps courtesy of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) grant funding.

The Chester County Intermediate Unit (CCIU) has been selected as one of nine organizations nationwide to implement NASA's Summer of Innovation (SoI) education program.

In its second year, the initiative engages students in hands-on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) activities during a free weeklong camp hosted by participating school districts. The CCIU is working with 20 school districts and two cyber schools across the commonwealth to coordinate camps at 36 sites during the week of August 1-5.

Professors from Immaculata University, Bucknell University, Lycoming College and University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg chose the NASA activities in which students will participate.

"Students will spend the entire week doing hands-on experiments that were designed by NASA education specialists," said Dr. Molli Jones, mathematics professor at Immaculata University. "These activities range from robotics and aeronautics to earth science and rocketry, with some astronaut ice cream thrown in the mix."

In eastern Pennsylvania, participating school districts include Coatesville, Chester Upland, Octorara and Philadelphia; in central PA school districts include East Lycoming, Harrisburg, Jersey Shore, Muncy, Montoursville, Williamsport, Riverside and Scranton; in western PA school districts include Laurel Highlands, Albert Gallatin, Brownsville, California, Belle Vernon, Uniontown and Turkeyfoot Valley.

In addition to combating the "summer slide," the period of time during which students actually begin to lose the skills that they had learned during the school year, the program looks to increase the number of future scientists in underrepresented student populations. Approximately 150 teachers and 2,000 students are expected to participate statewide.

"Of particular interest might be the rocket launches, the Geodome Lab, and the Space Suit that will be on display," said Dr. Jeanne Moore, western PA regional co-facilitator.  

According to Dr. David Morgan, project director, professional development is an important facet of SoI. Teachers are required to attend a three-day training session at Goddard Space Flight Center, a 40-hour summer institute, and regional meetings throughout the school year.

Immaculata University, Bucknell University, Lycoming College and University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg and the Chester County Intermediate Unit are partners in NASA's Summer of Innovation Project.

For more information about SoI visit NASA's website: http://www.nasa.gov/topics/nasalife/summer_of_innovation.html

Contact:
Mary Jeanne Curley
Director, Public Relations
Chester County Intermediate Unit
484-237-5171 | [email protected]

SOURCE Chester County Intermediate Unit