ASPIRA of PA Hosts Summer of Innovation Camp


Released on: August 08, 2013, 8:26 am
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Industry: Education

Through a partnership with Immaculata University and NASA, ASPIRA of PA hosted a week-long Summer of Innovation camp with over 80 students in attendance.

Philadelphia, PA, -- /EPR NETWORK/ -- ASPIRA, Inc. of Pennsylvania (ASPIRA of PA) was selected by Immaculata University to host a week-long Summer of Innovation (SOI) camp, from July 22nd – 26th. The camp is part of NASA's nation-wide campaign aimed at engaging middle school students across the United States to share in the excitement of scientific discovery and space exploration through unique, NASA-related STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) opportunities. The SOI program seeks to leverage the expertise and reach of NASA's 10 field centers, national academic and industry partners and smaller, non-traditional collaborators to keep students engaged in STEM activities during the summer school break.

The camp took place at Pantoja Charter (a K-8 bilingual charter school managed by ASPIRA of PA), and in addition to providing facility space, ASPIRA of PA also provided teachers and staff to help facilitate the camp. The teachers participating at the camp are also part of a development program hosted by NASA to improve Science/STEM instruction. Over 80, 4 th – 9 th grade students attended the camp, with 80% of students coming from schools managed by ASPIRA of PA. Throughout the camp, students learned about robotics, computer programming, aeronautics, and in a culminating event on the last day, they launched rockets that they built earlier in the week. Students and parents alike praised the camp, with the only complaint being that they wished it was longer. ASPIRA of PA is already beginning to make plans for next year's SOI camp, with hopes of extending the length of the camp and offering it to more students.

About ASPIRA, Inc. of Pennsylvania
ASPIRA, Inc. of Pennsylvania is a local 501(c)(3) nonprofit that seeks to empower the North Philadelphia community through advocacy, and the education and leadership development of its youth. In addition to its vast array of extended learning programs, ASPIRA of PA also serves as a Charter Management Organization that operates five charter schools and one preschool. Please visit http://aspirapa.org to learn more.

For more information about ASPIRA of PA's partnership with Immaculata University and NASA, please contact:

Diana Dahl, Development Director
4322 N. 5th St, Floor 3
Philadelphia, PA 19140
215.455.1300 ext. 117
ddahl@aspirapa.org

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