PROJECT IDEA

Association “Tsiolkovsky”, in cooperation with CEDET-DECOLAR, will organize its first KIDS-dedicated event – Space Camp “Acampamento Espacio”. It will take place in DECOLAR School in Sao Jose dos Campos on 23rd of June 2009.

The main idea of the Space Camp will be to present basic knowledge about space and space exploration programs to the kids. It will encompass the following areas: Humans in Space - History, Space and Universe (Astronomy), The Solar System (Astronomy), Modern Space Projects and Future Space Exploration Programs. There will be several workshops and exercises that will enable maximum interaction with the kids. The involvement of the kids is a priority and was considered when developing the overall program of activities.

The workshop activities were created in the most kids-friendly way. The interactivity between the hosts and the participants was considered a priority during the planning of the event.

The Space Camp is coordinated with CEDET-DECOLAR- providing logistical support and facilities for the event.

The presentation itself can be requested by e-mail at: raychev@tsiolkovsky.net

Project Results

The First Space Camp organized by Association Tsiolkovsky achieved really positive results. More than 50 kids participated in the event.

Multiple videos and graphs were shown, explaining the basics of space exploration and its history. The kids had the opportunity to interact directly with the hosts which proved to be very effective. During almost 3 hours the participants got the chance to appreciate the complexity and the importance of the space exploration. The Space Camp itself was separated in 5 parts encompassing areas from astronomy and astrophysics to space exploration history and future mission’s presentation.

During the Space Camp each kid received a small reward – satellite photos of Brazil, Amazonia and the capital Brasilia. This was done thanks for the generous support of INPE (National Institute of Space Research). There were 3 bigger prices for the most active kids during the workshop. Overall the results were better than expected and this first event of its kind might start a good tradition of cooperation.

P hotos from the event will be published shortly on the website of Association Tsiolkovsky.

From the name of all our members, Association Tsiolkovsky would like once more to express its gratitude to CEDET-DECOLAR for the flawless cooperation and involvement, to INPE for the material support and confidence in our work and to the individual volunteers who made this camp so successful.