A summer camp to become an astronaut: "what boy or girl hasn't dreamed of going into space?"

La Vanguardia

In a published article on May 11, 2024 by the newspaper La Vanguardia, the innovative educational project Space Camp Valencia, which offers young people between the ages of 10 and 17 the opportunity to immerse themselves in the world of astronautics and science without leaving Valencia, is highlighted. This camp, organized by Escuela de Ciencia for the past five years, combines education and fun in a format that captures the imagination of hundreds of young people every summer.

This year, Space Camp Valencia is launching a special program with 15 scholarships aimed at inspiring future scientists and technicians through a unique experience: learning robotics engineering, experiencing zero-gravity conditions in a swimming pool, and piloting like an astronaut. The cost of a week's training is about 500 euros, but with the support of such significant sponsors as PLD Space, Power Electronics, Teika, the American Space Valencia and SPB, in addition to the collaboration of the Ships and AVRE and the organization of Escuela de Ciencia; the aim is to make the camp more accessible.

This year's program not only includes the sponsorship of prominent companies, but also the support of entities such as the Innovation Center of the City of Valencia Las Naves, the Valencia Chamber of Commerce and the Valencian Association of Extended Reality (AVRE). These collaborators offer resources and spaces that further enrich the educational experience of the participants.

Raquel Ibáñez Peral, director of the program, points out that the initiative is much more than a summer camp. It is a strategy to attract teenagers to science and technology careers, using their intrinsic fascination with space as a bridge to STEM education. Through activities such as co-piloting ultralight aircraft, working in zero-gravity conditions, and participating in virtual reality simulations of the International Space Station, students not only learn, but are inspired to explore beyond the limits of Earth.

In addition to scholarships, this year's camp features a strong focus on inclusion. They strive to reach out to vulnerable families who normally do not have access to these types of educational opportunities, offering some places completely free of charge. With capacity for 300 participants, the camp will run from the last week of June to the last week of July.

With these initiatives, Space Camp Valencia not only educates, but also opens doors to future professionals in the aerospace world, providing an environment where dreams of flying into space become an exciting pre-college reality.