Interactively learn about robotics, rocketry, climate science, and aerospace and satellite engineering. Participate in numerous hands-on robotics and engineering tasks such as how to design a robotic rover, and building and launching a model rocket with student built sensors on board. The students will travel to a facility near the UNC Asheville campus to launch the model rockets they build in camp. Build an Arduino controlled mini weather station, launch them on tethered weather balloons, and conduct data analytics. Learn from STEM professionals about all the opportunities STEM fields have to offer.
- Interactively learn about robotics, rocketry, climate and aerospace and satellite engineering
- Gain understanding about data analytics and applications
- Learn about climate change and its impacts to society.
- Interact with NASA and NOAA scientists and engineers.
- Experience residential campus life in a fun, engaging setting with challenging STEM curriculum.
- Build a robotic rover and program it to perform a series of maneuvers.
- Learn how to solder and build an Arduino controlled mini weather station and launch it on a drone.
- Working in teams, you’ll construct model rockets.
- Conduct numerous hands-on robotics and engineering tasks.
- Collect in-situ and atmospheric data with your weather station. Analyze data collected and present results to NASA and NOAA scientists and engineers.
Morning
- 8 a.m. – Breakfast
- 9 a.m. – Introduction to remote sensing and applications
- 10 a.m. – Learn and use soldering techniques to build a robotic rover
- 11 a.m. – Construction and programming of robotic rovers
- 12:00 p.m. – Lunch & free time
Afternoon
- 1 p.m. – Construction and programming of robotic rovers (continued)
- 3 p.m. – Robotic Rover Race
- 4 p.m. – Introduction to weather stations, temperature sensors, redundancy and basic principles
Evening
- 5 p.m. – Dinner
- 6:30 p.m. – Activities / recreation / free time
Options could include: beach volleyball, Asheville Tourists game, observatory, game night, movie - 11 p.m. – Lights out
- June 16 – June 21, 2024
- $1,890.00
- Pre-College Programs are open to rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors.
- Price includes lodging, meals, all course materials, activities, and excursions
- A $500 deposit is due upon registration with remaining balance due by May 1, 2024. Click here to see our cancellation policy.
- Needs-Based Financial Aid can be applied for through Destination SPACE (email info@destinationspace-stem.org for more information)
- Students reside in campus residence hall and dine in campus dining hall
- Enrollment is open until spaces are filled
- Registration is through the Camp Doc platform. Detailed registration instructions can be found here.
Dr. L. DeWayne Cecil
Dr. L. DeWayne Cecil founded Destination SPACE in March 2017 with a vision of providing students with space related interactive science education (https://destinationspace-stem.org). As the Director of Destination SPACE, Inc., Dr. Cecil draws upon his extensive background in applied earth sciences and remote sensing. After earning a PhD. in Earth Science from the University of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, Dr. Cecil went on to serve as Chief Scientist of the Applied Sciences Program at NASA Headquarters and as Senior Science Advisor at NASA Langley’s Systems Engineering Office, the Lead Applications Scientist at the USGS ‘s Global Change Research Program, and the first-ever Western Region Climate Services Director at NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI). Dr. Cecil has over 80 professional science publications including journal articles and book chapters.
In addition to his work in climate research, aerospace applications, and program management, Dr. Cecil has worked extensively around the world. His travels have taken him to Japan, Nepal, China, Argentina, Brazil, Kazakhstan, New Zealand, Russia, and beyond. He has climbed and worked in the Tien Shan and Himalayan mountains in Central Asia and the Southern Alps in New Zealand, traversed glaciers, and searched the world’s oceans. Dr. Cecil’s breadth and depth of experience in research and in applied sciences has inspired him to pass on his expertise and enthusiasm to the next generation of scientists, engineers, and program managers.
Contact Us
Questions? Please contact us at precollege@unca.edu.