- Houston Independent School District
- 2012
- June 2012
NASA Grant Provides Students with Summer of Innovation
June 19, 2012
Burbank Middle School student Andrew Kolter recently spent a weekday morning on campus digging for knowledge – literally. The eighth-grader is attending the school's STEM Summer Science Camp and he, along with several dozen other students, is coming up with a plan to build a garden on Mars. As a way to research the project, the students are digging and planting an actual garden on the Burbank campus.
"I would rather be doing this than sitting inside playing video games," Andrew said. At least this way I am using my mind and my body."
Andrew and his classmates are also building working robots out of Legos and studying space exploration during the three-week enrichment camp. This is the second year Burbank is hosting the camp thanks to a nearly $14,000 Summer of Innovation Grant from NASA. In addition to the funding, NASA personnel have been training Burbank staff in the science of space exploration, growing plants in space, and food preparation for use in space.
"This camp is making science and math real to our students," said Principal Rosa Hernandez. "The kids are engaged with each other, they are problem solving, they are using critical thinking, and they are having fun. This is what education is about."
"It is great that we are combing horticulture along with technology," said Magnet Coordinator Mildred Rosa. "Not many people know that our school's namesake, Luther Burbank, was a horticulturist."
Students from feeder pattern elementary schools including Lyons, Herrera, Janowski and Berry are also participating in the hands-on camp. Next week, they will enjoy a field trip to the NASA Space Center and to the Houston Arboretum.