The Rita Spenser Space Campership

An Award for High School Students to attend U.S. Space Camp

This Award honors Mrs. Rita Spenser, Executive Secretary of the Dudley Observatory for more than three decades. The purpose of the Spenser Campership Award is to stimulate interest in astronomy, astrophysics and the NASA Space Program by supporting the attendance at the U.S. Space Camp facility in Huntsville, Alabama of a high school student from the Capital Region of New York State.

The Advanced Space Academy offers in-depth experience and hands-on training for a simulated shuttle mission. The purpose of the Camp is to inspire students towards further studies which might lead to careers in space science and technology, and involves such experiences as mission planning and simulated flights, the technology of space travel, developing space experiments, weightless experience via scuba diving, etc.

Campers choose from three tracks -- Pilot, Mission Specialist and Payload Specialist. The program lasts for five days.

The Dudley Observatory will pay Space Camp registration fees, room and board and transportation costs for the winning student. A list of former winners can be found here.

 Qualifications:

• Sophomore or Junior in the 2003 - 2004 academic year
• Attends high school in Albany, Fulton, Montgomery, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady or Washington Counties in New York State

 Nomination Procedure:

The nominee will be selected by his/her school and should not apply directly. There is no longer a limit on the number of nominees per high school. Each nominee must complete an application form as well as a one page essay on what the student expects to gain from the Space Camp experience. The essay by the student as well as the academic and extracurricular records should be used in selecting each school's candidate.

Nomination for the Spenser Campership can ONLY be made by the school. Students may not apply individually.

Each nominee must submit:

• A one-page essay on why the student wishes to attend Space Camp
• A confidential letter of recommendation from a science or math teacher
• A copy of Dudley Observatory's Application for Award form 

Selection Procedure:

Judging among the nominees will be by the Education Awards Committee of the Board of Trustees of Dudley Observatory. The results will be announced by mid-March, 2004.

Information:

Students should contact the school science or math teacher for forms and information.
Teachers and principals may contact the Dudley Observatory.

For further information, please contact George Wise at the Dudley Observatory.

Dudley Observatory
107 Nott Terrace, Suite 201
Schenectady, New York 12308
(518) 382-7583      fax (518) 382-7584
info@dudleyobservatory.org

Go to Educational Awards Page