Summer Astronaut Job Camp to be held at Shetland Space Centre
Image courtesy Shetland Space Centre
Shetland Space Centre, together with land conservation and tourism business Wildland Limited, have stepped in to cover all the registration costs for the inaugural edition of Mike Mongo’s Astronaut Job Camp, a virtual summer camp geared to 10-12 year olds* with a passion for space and STEAM.
“We are looking for kids who are interested in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) subjects and might want to become a space professional, including perhaps humannaires, the next generation of space explorers,” said Mike.
“So my message to parents is: if your children are into creative thinking, problem solving, team play and emotional intelligence, get them signed up, they’ll love it.
“And my message to kids is: if you’re excited by space and STEAM and even video games and sports, or even just a little bit interested, get your mum, dad or guardian to sign you up – your registration is paid for!”
Frank Strang, CEO of Shetland Space Centre, said: “We are delighted along with Wildland to be able to support this fantastic initiative by Mike and hope lots of kids sign up for what will be an amazing experience.”
Tim Kirkwood, CEO of Wildland said: “This is a brilliant opportunity for young people to learn about space while having fun and we were thrilled to have the opportunity to help make it happen.”
The camp will be held virtually from 5th to 30th July and in three separate camps there will be space for a total of 180 children from Shetland, Scotland, and around the world.
The two-hour long sessions will be held on Monday and Thursday mornings for children in Scotland, Monday and Thursday afternoons for the rest of the UK and Ireland and Tuesday and Friday mornings for the rest of the world.
Mike Mongo is director of the United Launch Alliance-sponsored Humannaires Initiative, YouTuber and US author of The Astronaut Instruction Manual.
The camp will feature professional instructors including SpaceX Inspiration 4 astronaut Dr Sian Proctor, NASA ISS and Space Shuttle astronaut Nicole Scott, and future Mars walker Alyssa Carson.
Dr Proctor and Nicole Scott are members of Mr Mongo’s high-powered Curriculum Advisory Board, which also includes Dr Christopher Washington, Executive Vice- President and Provost, Franklin University; Dr Sara Polak, archaeologist in AI, Paioneers Lab, Prague; Dr David Lockett of NASA and Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellow; Lace Giles, STEM educator and historian of science; and Dr Juan José Díaz Infante, Mission Director, Ulises 1; Director, Mexican Civil Space Authority.
“Shetland’s balanced mix of nature and the modern world is the perfect location for our first Astronaut Job Camp. If you’re between the ages of 10-12 and want to live, work and play in tomorrow’s jobs in space, you have to join up,” added Mike, who is already in Unst and raring to go.
Shetland Space Centre is a natural ally in promoting STEAM careers for the students of Scotland. Combining the practical nature of the commercial technological industry with the visionary excitement of space careers, Shetland Space Centre has the opportunity to support the work of parents, teachers, headmasters, schools, and national stakeholders in championing STEAM careers, empowering student acquisition of essential STEAM skills and training, and communicating the genuine value of diversity and inclusion in STEAM careers to the benefit of Scotland and the world.
For more details about how to sign up, go to www.astronautjobcamp.com
*Exceptions may be made at the discretion of the organisers.
