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Interstellar Dreams Launches Aerospace Camp at Reston Town Center

Interstellar Dreams Space Center launches the next generation of aerospace leaders at space camp in Reston Town Center. (Photo courtesy of Interstellar Dreams.)

With the global space industry expected to reach $1 trillion by 2040, a rapidly increasing number of career opportunities will be available at commercial space companies, as well as at government agencies and defense-related companies. With Fairfax County and the Greater Washington region emerging as a global hub for the aerospace industry, Robin McDougal founded Interstellar Dreams, a program of the Pearl Project Institute for Innovation in S.T.E.M. (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) literacy, a nonprofit organization with the goal of fostering future space talent in the region and across the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Sponsored by Leidos and Boston Properties, Interstellar Dreams wrapped up the first session of its Summer Space Exploration Camp on June 24 at its space center pop-up hub at the Reston Town Center. Interstellar Dreams has a new take on a summer space camp, designed for rising 6th graders through rising 9th graders, that blends “hands-on” fun and “minds-on” tech with their imagination to launch the future of space exploration. Interstellar Dreams incites passion and cultivates an awareness of S.T.E.M. careers in the emerging commercial space industry. Participants use their imagination to design the future of space exploration and space tourism. While building on the history of space exploration, the role of satellites, and careers in aerospace, campers solve problems using critical thinking techniques.

Click here to check out Interstellar Dreams magazine.

During the press conference, the students presented their week-long aerospace learning experience about “The Road to Mars” to parents and guests from Fairfax County Economic Development Authority and the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce.

Click here to see The Road to Mars Press Conference Guide, which includes photos of the space center event.

Registration is open for upcoming camps: (The focus of the camp is noted.)

• Session #2: July 8-12: The Interstellar Lunar Gateway
• Session #3: July 15-19: Earth is Changing: Observe with Micro-Satellites
• Session #4: July 22-26: Planet Hunters Unite: Search for Strange New Worlds
• Session #5: July 29-August 2: The Ferocious Sun
• Session #6: August 5-9: Space Travelers, Living and Working in Space
• Session #7: August 12-16: Space Entrepreneurs: Design a Space Business

Click here for registration information.

(Image courtesy of Interstellar Dreams.)