The Green Bank Observatory is home to the 100-meter Robert C. Byrd Green Bank Radio Telescope. // Photo credit: NRAO/AUI
Summer camp is a great way to make friends, enjoy the outdoors… and take part in amazing STEM activities at the Green Bank Observatory.
That’s right — applications are currently being accepted now through May 16 for the Physics Inspiring the Next Generation! PING Camp 2018, which takes place July 15-21, 2018. Students who are currently 8th graders (rising 9th graders) are invited to apply for this unique experience, which aims to improve diversity in the STEM fields: science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
This week-long camp includes both STEM and more traditional summer camp activities — students will not only have the opportunity to go swimming, hiking, and dancing, but also the chance to take part in projects such as coding, circuit building, and observing the universe with the GBO’s 40-foot radio telescope. Students are supervised and led by GBO staff, teachers, and STEM undergraduates, who offer the opportunity to not only have a great week at summer camp, but also the chance to enjoy cutting-edge, hands-on science and technology projects.
Approximately 25 students will be selected from the applicant pool for the week-long summer camp course. The camp is fully funded, meaning there is no cost for camp attendance, meals, or room and board. Transportation is provided from the Baltimore-DC Metro area and Charlottesville, Virginia, at designated pick-up locations; the only potential cost to families is transportation to GBO or a pick-up location. Students from US states and territories are eligible to apply; while the program is focused on encouraging under-represented and diverse populations to apply, all students are welcome.
This is a truly amazing opportunity for any student interested in science, astronomy, engineering, or computer science. You can get more details on the GBO’s website; or click here for the PING 2018 flyer. The deadline for online applications and all required camp forms is Wednesday, May 16, 2018. If you have questions but don’t see the answers online, you can email Sue Ann Heatherly, Camp Director, at sheather@nrao.edu.