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Ellis Abel Learns.

Space & Astronomy Summer Camp in Des Moines, IA

There is no shortage of summer options in Des Moines, IA. There is a shortage of weeks a child talks about in September, and that is the bar space & astronomy summer camp has to clear.

Ages 7-14 · For families · Iowa · Midwest

Space & Astronomy Summer Camp — Ellis Abel Learns STEM summer camp materials used in Des Moines, IA
Space & Astronomy Summer Camp — Ellis Abel Learns STEM summer camp materials used in Des Moines, IA

What the week actually is

Space is the best bait in STEM and the easiest to waste. This week uses it properly: orbital mechanics as ratio problems, rocket stability as a physics argument, distance to Mars as an exercise in numbers too big to feel.

Day by day

  1. Scale: how far is far
  2. Build the rocket, predict the flight
  3. Launch and measure the error
  4. Orbits as ratio problems
  5. Showcase: present the flight data

Des Moines, IA — what applies locally

  • The Des Moines–West Des Moines, IA metro area has about 758,539 residents, ranking 82nd in the country.
  • Metro area: Des Moines–West Des Moines, IA
  • State: Iowa · Region: Midwest

Questions we get from Des Moines, IA

Do they launch anything?
Model rockets, yes, with the flight predicted on paper before it leaves the pad.
Is there a telescope night?
Where the camp site allows it. Otherwise the observation work is done with real archived imagery.
What ages get the most out of it?
Nine and up, though seven-year-olds do fine with the building half.

Other camp themes in Des Moines

STEM Summer CampAges 5-14Robotics CampAges 8-14Coding CampAges 7-14Engineering CampAges 7-14Science CampAges 5-14Math CampAges 5-14Drone CampAges 9-14Game Design CampAges 8-14AI CampAges 10-14Electronics CampAges 8-14Chemistry CampAges 9-14Nature Science CampAges 5-133D Printing CampAges 9-14Minecraft STEM CampAges 7-12Girls STEM CampAges 7-14Neurodivergent STEM CampAges 6-14Preschool STEM CampAges 3-5Elementary STEM CampAges 5-10Middle School STEM CampAges 11-14High School STEM CampAges 14-18Half-Day STEM CampAges 5-12Week-Long STEM CampAges 6-14Affordable STEM CampAges 5-14Virtual STEM CampAges 7-14Curriculum LicensingAges K-8Church Youth STEMAges 5-14After-School LicensingAges 5-14District Summer STEMAges K-8Parks & Rec STEM CampAges 5-13Homeschool Co-op STEMAges 5-14YMCA STEM CurriculumAges 5-14Daycare Summer STEMAges 3-6Start a STEM CampAges K-8

Space Camp elsewhere in Iowa

Davenport, IAMetro areaCedar Rapids, IAMetro areaIowa City, IAMetro areaWaterloo, IAMetro areaSioux City, IAMetro areaAmes, IAMetro areaDubuque, IAMetro areaWest Des Moines, IACity

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