Campers use creative and collaborative skills to design a mission patch, train like an astronaut, and solve real-world engineering problems using spinoff technology, just like NASA astronauts working together on a mission. They propose answers to questions like "How could space suit cooling tubes be used to solve a problem here on Earth? How could robotic arms help make our world a better place?” Then, they create a storyboard and presentation to share their spinoff project and work on their science communication skills.

Think and act like NASA innovators during this hands-on program inspired by NASA’s current missions. The primary focus will include the ARTEMIS mission to the moon during which NASA will land the first woman and next man on the moon’s surface by 2024, using innovative technologies to explore more of the lunar surface than ever before. Monday: Get ready to become a NASA engineer! Using Mars rovers Spirit, Curiosity and Opportunity as inspiration, you will design and construct your own planetary pasta rover. Use your knowledge of physics to create a landing pod that will ensure your astronauts are treated to a gentle landing. Accept NASA’s challenge to design and build an air-powered rocket that can hit a distant target. Experiment with different materials and launch angels to fine tune your design. Join the time honored tradition of creating your own NASA mission patch. Tuesday: NASA needs you to develop a heat shield that can protect a space craft entering the atmosphere of Mars. You will build and test your heat shield to ensure that it is strong enough to pass the test. With the Canadarm2 as your guide, learn the importance of robotic arms and how they help people work on Earth as well as in space. Your mission is to design a cold fuel storage device and a system to transfer the fuel to a spacecraft. Will your design be the one that can transfer the most fuel? Learn how a Liquid Cooling and Ventilation Garment (LCVG) can help keep an astronaut cool under pressure. Wednesday: Morning Session: Discover how a Starshade shields a telescope's camera from the light of a distant star and create a smaller version to keep for yourself. Design and construct a solar sail that must deploy from the launch tube, unfurl and support itself upright on a flat surface! NASA uses radio waves to carry messages through space. Your job is to test different types of materials to determine which produces the best communication when sending a message over various distances. Learn about NASA spinoff technologies and see if you can spot them in a virtual treasure hunt. Create a collage of spinoffs you may find in your home, neighborhood or community. Thursday: You will use the creative thinking strategy of SCAMPER to suggest improvements for a variety of technologies and designs. Your mission is to then re-design and create a prototype based on your SCAMPER results. NASA needs a spacecraft that can land on the moon without injuring astronauts or damaging the craft. Your mission is to design and build a shock-absorbing system that will protect two “astronauts” when they land. You will use the engineering design process to discover ways to improve your lander as you test it. Friday: Discover how Deep Space Network is used to communicate back and forth across the solar system and how signals are decoded. Learn how to use the only language computers or spacecraft understand. Learn about spatial awareness as you train like an astronaut in the Mission Control game. Practice your hand-eye reaction time in the Speed of Light challenge. Choose your favorite NASA spinoff technology to share with the world. Create a storyboard to use as inspiration for a short video that will capture your design thinking and market your spinoff with an engaging pitch.

Monday, July 27, 2026
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday, July 28, 2026
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday, July 29, 2026
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday, July 30, 2026
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday, July 31, 2026
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM