Snow Hill — Greene County Schools held an Aviation and Aerospace camp for Academically and/or Intellectually Gifted rising 4th and 5th-grade students from July 10th to 12th. The camp, organized in partnership with community members and organizations, provided an array of enriching experiences. Students toured LCC's Aerospace and Advanced Manufacturing Facility, flew drones, engaged in Aerospace STEM activities from Neuse Regional Library, visited Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, and explored Morehead Planetarium in Chapel Hill, NC.

At LCC students toured the 3D printer that is part of the industrial maintenance program lab, and were able to go on the flight simulator.  In partnership with our middle and high school, students were able to fly drones and take them through some obstacle courses. 

Neuse Regional Libraries partnered with the camp, bringing several Aerospace STEM activities for the students. Students were introduced to VR Headsets, designed a space capsule for the next lunar landing, and explored what it takes to create an astronaut’s space suit. 

At Seymour Johnson, students were taken around the base by Major Kyle Eich, an air force pilot. He gave a brief presentation to the students about the various careers and opportunities in the Air Force and the equipment that they use. The campers then toward the tarmac to get an up-close look at F-15s. Students were also able to sit in the cockpit so they could get a first-hand look at the controls of the fighter jet. 

The camp culminated by visiting the Morehead Planetarium on UNC Chapel Hill’s campus where students enjoyed science exhibits and a planetarium show. -Ellen Tilghman, K-5 AIG Coordinator and Camp Director shared her excitement with the camp stating  “It is a joy for our Greene Schools AIG program to provide these enriching experiences and activities for our students. We could not make this camp happen each year without our wonderful community partners who so graciously dedicated their time and efforts to create memorable experiences for our students”