Last weekend Stephen Metcalfe, MP for South Basildon and
East Thurrock, met with Basildon based, Space Camp Ambassadors to the UK, Ken
and Jane Lewis from Gifted Tours, to discuss how the American Camp can be
promoted in the local area.
Mr Metcalfe first encountered Space Camp on a
Parliamentary visit to Alabama, where to his surprise he learned that the UK
Ambassadors live in Basildon. The camp, based in Huntsville, also has links
with local engineering firm Selex ES.
Founded in 1982 Space Camp promotes the study of STEM
subjects through an exciting combination of hands-on activities and classroom
instruction. Pupils from over 40 countries have participated in the camps which
include a Space Academy and a Robotics Camp.
St Clere’s school in Thurrock have been sending young
delegates for the last 12 years and Mr Metcalfe is keen to explore how this can
be expanded further in South Basildon and East Thurrock.
He commented: “Space Camp is a fantastic facility that
can’t fail in inspiring young people about the exciting possibilities of STEM
subjects. I was delighted to learn that Ken and Jane lived in my constituency
and I look forward to working with them to see how we can develop our
involvement with the Camp in the future.”
“I have done a great deal of work promoting STEM subjects
in local schools and this might present an exciting and innovative opportunity
to inspire the much needed next generation of local engineers, mathematicians,
and scientists.”
For more information on Space Camp please see http://www.spacecamp.com/
