Oregon Competition

Students from the First Congressional District of Oregon are eligible to participate in an annual essay competition to win a scholarship to U.S. Space Camp/Academy, the space program at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI), and the Space Exploration Camp at Evergreen Aviation Museum.

U.S. Space Camp/Academy

The U.S. Space Camp/Academy is a five-day program located in Huntsville, Alabama that is packed with astronaut training for young people. Activities include simulated Space Shuttle missions, IMAX movies, training simulators (like the 1/6th Gravity Chair), rocket building and launches, scientific experiments, and lectures on the past, present, and future of space exploration.

Operating since 1982, the U.S. Space Camp is the largest camp operation in the United States. Students not only participate in fun camp activities, but they learn about the value of science as well. Space Camp has been featured on the Discovery Channel and is supported by leading educational organizations. To attend the U.S. Space Camp, you must be 9-11 years old. For Space Academy, you must be 12-14 years old.

During your stay at U.S. Space Camp, you will stay in bunk-bed style dorm rooms on the campus of the camp. The scholarship covers air fare, tuition, which includes all meals, lodging, and program materials. Although the scholarship covers tuition for Space Camp and Space Academy for the weeks of July 13-18 and July 18-25, respectively, the winners of the scholarship have the opportunity to change the date they wish to attend. Winners can only make one change to this date at no cost. Any additional scheduling changes will result in a fee from the U.S. Space Camp. Winners will also be required to submit health and consent forms to attend the camp.

Additionally, parents are responsible for making the travel arrangements to Huntsville, Alabama themselves. For detailed information about U.S. Space Camp, you can visit their website at www.spacecamp.com.

OMSI space classes

OMSI, located in Portland, Oregon, offers five-day missions including an exploration of the sun, crash-landing on the moon, building and launching rockets, and much more. To attend OMSI’s space classes, you must be entering grades 4-8 in Fall 2008. The scholarships cover tuition for Mission Through Space or Space Flight, depending on the age of the winner. Both of these classes run July 21-25. Additional information about OMSI’s classes is available at www.omsi.edu.

Evergreen Aviation Museum

Evergreen Aviation Museum, located in McMinnville, Oregon, offers several fun classes for a variety of ages. For students entering 4th-5th grades, Space Explorers runs July 30-31. For students entering 6th-8th grades, Aerospace Challenge runs August 5-8 and includes a visit to Boeing in Washington State.

Application

Download Oregon Space Camp Scholarship Competition Application (pdf - 49kB)

Applications are due May 1, 2008. In order for your application to be considered, you must return a completed application form with the signature of a parent or guardian and your essay of no more than 300 words on one of the four topics provided on the application. Late applications will not be considered. Please mail to the following address:

Space Camp Scholarships
c/o Education and Opportunity Fund
818 SW 3rd Street, Suite 514
Portland, Oregon 97204