Iowa Educators Trained to Lead NASA Astro Camps

By Andi Anderson

This summer and fall, young students across Iowa will explore science and space through NASA Astro Camps, led by 25 trained educators who recently completed a special workshop in Ames on May 16.

The training, hosted by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach and partly supported by the Iowa Space Grant Consortium, helps educators bring STEM learning to local youth through fun and engaging space-related activities. This is the fifth year the camp training has been offered.

Sara Nelson, 4-H STEM educational specialist and director of the Iowa NASA Space Grant Consortium, said, “We enjoy collaborating with educators to support STEM learning and career awareness.” The training day included lessons on the engineering design process, activities from NASA’s library of teaching plans, and even hands-on experience inside a portable planetarium.

The goal of Astro Camp is to inspire young students to become future astronauts, engineers, and scientists. Activities include designing space models, learning about solar circuits, and understanding how sunlight becomes energy.

One featured lesson, Hack a Solar Circuit, teaches kids how to build their own solar-powered device using simple materials and origami.

Participants also heard from experts like Rachel Shannon, a professor in electrical engineering, and Pete Evans from the ISU College of Design, who helped bridge the gap between school learning and real-world STEM careers.

Abby Drost, a camp trainee and intern with the Mahaska County Extension Office, shared how the camp tied into her personal journey toward a career in aviation. “I was able to learn how to facilitate Astro Camp and bring that knowledge back to the youth in my county,” she said.

Thanks to the Iowa State University Department of Aerospace Engineering for hosting the workshop and supporting STEM education across Iowa.

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