summer sessions for upper elementary and middle school students

A Celebration of Life XXV: To the Moon and Beyond!

Note: All summer programs are cancelled for 2020.

To the Moon and Beyond!

Our initial intention was to provide hands-on activities in outdoor, classroom and laboratory settings, designed to engage elementary and middle school-aged students’ interest in science and STEM careers. We are now in the process of revamping our program to an online format, looking toward the potential to provide hands-on kits over the summer and in-person experiences in Fall. This would include activities related to (1) the moon; (2) the NASA Artemis Program; (3) living in space; (4) STEM careers and training in related areas; and, historic and contemporary STEM professionals of color, including those affiliated with NASA.

Stay tuned for more details!

To the Moon and Beyond Space Activities you can try at home

Activity Book

A NASA activity book that you can color while also learning about the Space Launch System!

Coding Game

Create a video game that lets players explore Mars with a helicopter like the one attached to NASA's Perseverance rover!

Cosmic Art

Use the elements of art to make sense of space and planetary features - dive into the potential of science and art to inspire and empower each other!

Docking Simulation

Pilot the SpaceX Dragon 2 vehicle to the International Space Station using this simulator and familiarize yourself with the actual interface used by NASA Astronauts.

Draw Artemis

Put the "art" in Artemis (NASA's space program to explore the moon) with a guide to draw NASA's Space Launch System rocket.

Moon Phase Book

Create a flip book that allows you to track the moon phases and make observations over the next month!

Parachute Design

Design and build a parachute to successfully land an “egg-stronaut” using the Engineering Design Process from NASA.

Satellite

Take on the role of a chief engineer for an important NASA mission - build your own spacecraft from materials you can find around the home!

Space Musical

This "hip-hopera" uses song and dance to introduce space objects. Watch videos - learn lyrics! Plus: academic, art, fitness and life skills activities exist for each song.

You're An Astronaut

How would you adapt to the challenges and still keep doing important routines, like exercising, learning and making time for fun?

SEE MORE SCIENCE-AT-HOME ACTIVITIES HERE

A Celebration of Life backgrounD information

The African American Ethnic Academy and the BioPharmaceutical Technology Center Institute (BTC Institute), both 501(c)(3) non-profit educational organizations, have collaborated for 25 years to offer A Celebration of Life, a summer science program for upper elementary and middle school students. Open to all students, an important goal of this partnership is to support underrepresented students’ interest in the life sciences and provide them with the tools for success in school.

In addition to developing knowledge and abilities associated with scientific investigations in field and laboratory settings (e.g. formulating and testing hypotheses, utilizing problem-solving skills, learning and demonstrating correct techniques), students are challenged to develop their communication skills (e.g. through teamwork, journals, presentations to parents and family members). They are also encouraged to express and develop their creativity in numerous ways. Information regarding STEM professionals of color throughout history is shared, and role models of color are key players in program activities.