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Science

2011-07-01 08:32:00

The Cosmosphere’s KAOS is no ordinary summer camp

Question: What can you tell me about the KAOS summer camp program?

Answer: “It’s not just a camp; it’s an experience!” That’s the frequent way participants enthusiastically describe their time in Kansas Adventures in Outer Space (KAOS). The Smithsonian-affiliated Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center offers ten summer camps for various aged young people. Formerly known as “the Future Astronaut Training Program”, the Cosmosphere’s popular KAOS program combines science education with NASA training. The KAOS four- to seven-day camps began this year on June 1, and will continue through early August. Total enrollment for the program usually approaches 1,000 campers with participants coming from throughout Kansas as well as numerous other states some from as far away as California. The five different elementary camps include such alluring names as “Alien Adventure” and “Mars Academy”. The programs are designed to be age appropriate based on grade level in school. There are also five junior and senior camps offered for students in seventh grade and older. These camps encompass Space:101, through Space:501. “KAOS offered more to us,” said Hannah Bisgis, a fourteen year old from Liberty, MO. “Everything has a reason, it’s all connected. It’s up close and personal…and more than a textbook can offer you.” Her older brother attended the camps for four years. It’s because of him that Bisgis is now in the Space:301 program, and plans on continuing. “He always came back with these great stories. It was like every year it just got better,” said Michaela. Campers train in advanced simulator missions while at camp, including: the Falcon III spacecraft simulator, 4-G centrifuge, mission control, multi-axis trainer and the stress simulator. There are also exercises with Legos and rockets, tours of the museum and they even explore the night sky. With each camp, the missions get more intense, focused on problem-solving and collaboration. Students in Space:301 have the opportunity to go to the Johnson Space Center in Houston, TX, and Space:401 campers take a trip to Kennedy Space Center in Florida. “It’s a learning experience, but it’s also a lot of fun,” said Michaela Reynolds, a fourteen year old from Independence, MO. “Flying the Falcon III is like a real flight. It lasts about an hour and when you’re done everyone claps for you, like an actual mission.” Kynedi Allison, a Minneapolis, KS, teenager, found out about the camps from a family member. Her aunt in Wichita told her that if she wrote an essay, she could win a scholarship for Space: 101 and Space: 201. This option is open to all those interested in these camp levels. “I’m hoping to be an aeronautical engineer, because of what I’m learning here,” explained Allsion. “My plans before had been to be a veterinarian. There is so much that KAOS camps offer that you just don’t find anywhere else.”