FutureCamping Video Blog

A winter camp for educators known as History of Winter (HOW) 2008 will be hosted by a team from NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland, Feb. 10 -16, in Lake Placid, New York. For one week, high school teachers and college professors from Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Alaska will live and work in arctic conditions. They will gain hands-on experience while learning about arctic climates by studying ice and snow. The concept of HOW within NASA provides educators with a better understanding of the why, what and how of satellite remote sensing.

The ultimate goal of HOW is to provide educators with ground validation techniques that are identical to those used in the study of snow pits, ice caps and glaciers. "I have always been fascinated by ice and snow and thought it would be a good way to enable teachers to be better science teachers, essentially introducing them to a teacher as scientist role," said Dr. Peter Wasilewski, astrophysicist and director of the HOW expedition.

During the camp experience participants will be introduced to the Global Snow Flake Network (GSN). Launched two years ago, the network provides information to help identify snowflakes and improved data collection wherever snow falls on Earth. "You can learn a lot from a snowflake," says Wasilewski. "The shape reveals temperature and content in the clouds where the snowflake forms and grows."

A third element to be introduced this year is a miniature temperature measuring device known as a Thermonchron. With its unique ability to measure and record temperatures this portable device is becoming a stable in temperature study in and outside of the classroom.

The week of arctic activities will include how to use field tools in arctic conditions, collecting snow pit data, setting up an arctic campsite, and Thermonchron data retrieval and handling. Teams will be able to conduct real time ice pit studies while working in sub-zero temperatures on the ice and snow of Lake Placid, Saranac Lake and Tupper Lake. With the hands on experience these newly initiated ice and snow explorers are expected to return to the classroom to engage and inspire students about science.

After the snow and ice studies are complete, the educators will use their HOW experience to develop science activities and lesson plans that meet the National Science Education Standards. Now in its eighth year, the winter camp will also welcome for the first time educators from Alaska. Lake Placid, host of the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympics, is considered an ideal location for arctic climate study because of the extreme temperature and yearly snowfall totals.

With this program, NASA continues the agency's tradition of investing in the nation's education programs. It is directly tied the agency's major education goal of attracting and retaining students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM, disciplines. To compete effectively for the minds, imaginations, and career ambitions of America's young people, NASA is focused on engaging and retaining students in STEM education programs to encourage their pursuit of educational disciplines critical to NASA's future engineering, scientific and technical missions.

Source: https://www.nasa.gov/centers/goddard/news/lake_placid_camp.html

One common misconception is that Space Camp is a NASA program. Space Camp is neither run nor funded by NASA. NASA's contribution is in helping to guide curriculum -- essentially, consulting. Space Camp is a private endeavor, and, as with most private institutions, attendance doesn't come cheap. Programs range from three days to eight days long, and tuition varies based on the age range, duration and season.

Primitive camping is allowed on these wilderness islands--Horn and Petit Bois plus East Ship Island and the public section on Cat Island. Visitors can enjoy hiking, fishing, beachcombing, swimming and birdwatching on these picturesque and tranquil islands. During the osprey nesting season visitors will notice "Area Closed" signs.

These signs protect the osprey and help visitors select appropriate camping locations. Please check the Horn and East Ship Island maps for "Area Closed" signs. Camping groups of 11 or more must obtain a free permit from the Visitor Center in Ocean Springs. A 20-foot or longer craft is recommended for use on the open water. Inland water craft such as bass boats and pontoon party barges are not suitable for travel to 10-12 miles from shore.

Licensed boat operators are available for a fee. Campers must provide all supplies needed for their trip including extra food and water. Never camp on dune tops as this damages the plants and fragile dune formations. Fires are permitted on the beach below the high tide line. Do not build fires on dunes or in wooded areas. Insect repellent and mosquito netting are recommended as well as long sleeve shirts, pants and sunscreen. Practice Leave No Trace Outdoor Ethics. Keep a respectful distance from wildlife.Pets are not allowed on Horn or Petit Bois Islands.The use of personnel watercraft(PWC) has restrictions. Please call 228-875-9057 for more information.

Children ages 9-12 will learn what makes rockets fly as they build and launch a model rocket during StenniSphere's next Astro Camp Saturday, 'Trading Spaces: From Earth to the Moon.' The session blasts off Saturday, Feb. 12, 2005. Crewmembers will design, build and test a rocket based on the same principles that would be used to build a rocket suitable for returning astronauts to the Moon, traveling to Mars and beyond.

They will look back at the exciting days of Apollo and will look ahead to the future of space exploration: the Moon, Mars and beyond. The camp takes place 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at StenniSphere, the visitor center at NASA Stennis Space Center, America's largest rocket test complex.Cost is $50 per camper.

To register or for more information call 1-800-237-1821 or (228) 688-2370 or visit
www.nasa.gov/centers/stennis/home/index.html