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Mission Moon – Youth Space Camp

Coming Summer of 2025

Registration: Opens spring of 2025

Grades: 6-12

Embark on a Epic Mission!

A new program to spur interest in space and aerospace-related subjects for 6-12 students in Iowa will be held on the Iowa State University campus in June of 2025!

Mission Moon will include a multi-day space workshop held in conjunction with the Iowa 4-H Youth Development annual conference at Iowa State University. This camp will offer youth the opportunity to interact with a variety of STEM role models while taking part in STEM and space themed experiences.

The program will feature many hands-on and interactive resources which will immerse students in realistic activities that reflect space and aerospace-related knowledge. It will include industry partners and Department of Aerospace Engineering researchers.

STEM Simulation

A multi-part, immersive STEM simulation for middle and high school students that emphasizes key concepts in NASA’s Artemis missions.

Scout a Landing Site

Teams will use small drones to collect data on potential landing sites while learning about the Moon’s geologic features.

Design a Rover and Launch

The engineering design process will be used by teams to build a small rover capable of transporting individual team members and materials.

Collect Regolith and Build Habitat

Using their tablets, teams will scan mock regolith to determine mineral composition, collect regolith with their rover, and then build a habitat using life size magnetic tiles.

Search for Water Ice

Using micro:bits as scanners, teams will use radio signals to locate hidden reserves of water ice on a mock lunar surface.

Visit the Planetarium

A large inflatable StarLab Planetarium is integrated throughout the experience.

Collaborators and camp developers include

  • Iowa 4-H Youth Development
  • Collins Aerospace
  • Iowa State University College of Engineering
  • Iowa State University College of Design
  • Iowa State University College of Health and Human Sciences
  • Strategic Air Command and Aerospace Museum
  • Iowa Educational Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired
  • Iowa Children’s Museum
  • Ericson Public Library