AeroCamp participants designed, built and flew rockets at the Rogers State University Pryor campus, which is located in the MidAmerica Industrial Park. During the three-day camp, Mayes County middle school students also operated drones in several flight missions.
Twenty-four Mayes County middle school students participated in various aerospace-related challenges as part of the second annual AeroCamp Summer Academy at Rogers State University in Pryor.
AeroCamp engages 6th, 7th and 8th graders with science, technology, engineering and mathematic (STEM) concepts through hands-on, aerospace-related devices. This year, students designed, built and flew rockets and operated drones in several flight missions at the Pryor campus, which is located in the MidAmerica Industrial Park.
The camp was funded through the Google Unmanned Aero Vehicle (UAV) Grant and contributions from MidAmerica Industrial Park and the RSU Foundation. These contributions allowed RSU Pryor to offer the camp at no cost to Mayes County students. The donations also provided drones, a simulation lab, equipment and software, said Sherry Alexander, director of the RSU Pryor campus.
“Through the generosity of our partners, participating students were able to keep their drones,” she said. “We’re excited the students will be able to continue to utilize the skills they learned at camp.”
The AeroCamp Summer Academy has three goals: to equip Mayes County students to thrive in technology-driven professions; to inform students about the advantages of higher education; and to teach students about teamwork, mentoring and leadership. The three-day camp was held June 6-8 and was taught by RSU faculty, Google volunteers and members of the Cherokee Nation Aerospace Industries.
For more information about AeroCamp Summer Academy, contact the RSU Pryor campus at 918-825-6117.