Seven Japanese junior high school students and three teachers are currently taking part in this year's Space Camp, a six-day, hands-on learning program in the United States that aims to raise youth interest in space science.
Based at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama, Space Camp has provided educational experiences since 1982, including the launching of model rockets and simulated space missions, for thousands of students and teachers from more than 60 countries.
The participants, drawn from three public schools in Tokyo, Shizuoka and Aomori prefectures, have received financial support from global aerospace and defense technology giant Northrop Grumman Corp. to join the program through Friday. The company began sponsoring students for the camp last year.