Rockets, Teamwork, and Experiential Learning: a 4-H family reflects on Space Camp

Feb 3, 2023 | 4-H Youth Development

Because of the boys’ winning design in Feb. of 2020, Jonathan Smith, Sr., and his sons, Jonathan Jr., right, and Keylin, were able to attend Space Camp in 2022, after a nearly two-year hiatus because of the pandemic. The one-week camps are held at the U.S. Rocket Center in Huntsville. Jonathan, Sr., attended both camps as an adult chaperone.

When Jonathan Smith, Jr. learned that he had won a 4-H science competition and would have the chance to attend NASA space camp in Huntsville, AL, he was surprised. Not because he didn’t think he’d win the competition, but because he’d forgotten about the competition that took place just as COVID-19 hit.

“Honestly, it was so long ago, I forgot about it,” said the 15-year-old from Hertford County. “The competition was a long time ago—before COVID. Then my dad told me we were going to Space Camp and I was super excited.”

Two groups of 4-H youth with Extension at A&T attended Space Camp in 2022, after a nearly two-year hiatus because of the pandemic. The one-week camps are held at the U.S. Rocket Center in Huntsville and give youth the chance to learn critical thinking skills, robotics, teamwork and leadership, and experience real-world applications of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Smith was one of 16 4-Hers from Bladen, Mecklenburg, Wilson, Hertford, Gates and Forsyth counties to attend the camp this year. High school students attended the camp Aug. 7 – 12, while middle school students, including Smith’s younger brother Keylin, attended July 17 – 22. Smith’s father, Jonathan, Sr., attended both camps as an adult chaperone.

“I enjoyed it because I didn’t have that opportunity as a kid,” said the senior Smith. “I was in 4-H, and it was fun bringing back all those memories for me and seeing my kids enjoying this experience.”

The high school camp attendees participated in 30 one-hour missions during the camp, and their final project was to build and launch their own rockets. Kids could take their rocket home as souvenir if  it survived the launch and could be retrieved. Jonathan, Jr. said he successfully launched his rocket but was unable to retrieve when it landed in the woods. Nevertheless, Space Camp and building a rocket were well worth the effort, he said.

“Communication is the most important thing I learned,” said Jonathan, Jr. “At first I didn’t know anyone but by the end of the week I had a bunch of friends. If you communicate right and work together, you get things done.”

Hertford County’s Jonathan Smith Sr., right, and his sons, Keylin, left, and Jonathan Jr., compete in the N.C. A&T State University and Cooperative Extension’s 4-H Race to Space Competition in Feb. 2020 on the campus of NC A&T in Greensboro. The 4-H Race to Space Competition involved teams of up to four youth and two adults to design and build a Rube Goldberg machine with the end goal of planting and watering a seed. This program was proposed to challenge youth ages 12–14 years-old to learn and utilize the engineering design process, and the eight practices of science and engineering. This program also created opportunities for youth to learn problem solving skills, improve their presentation skills as they provided explanations for their contraptions, and practice teamwork.

Smith and his brother earned visits to space camp by participating in the 2020 Race to Space competition, held as part the 4-H Teen LEADS (Learning to Educate others About Doing STEM) program. The teens spent six months building Rube Goldberg machines that completed a series of steps to water a plant. They will be required to work with their 4-H agents to reach at least 100 youth in their communities with space-related education in the next year.

Jonathan, Sr. agreed that the experience taught his sons the value of teamwork and learning through experience.

“It was great to see them working together with people they had just met,” he said. “By the end of the week, they had developed strong bonds and they were able to expand their minds.”

The two camps focused on the value of space exploration and the scientific knowledge needed to make it possible. Activities were targeted to the age of the campers and the older group had the chance to see simulators used by astronauts and learn about discoveries made through the NASA space program. Smith, Jr. said the activities helped him appreciate science and engineering. While he’s made no specific plans for life after high school, he said becoming an electrician is a possibility.

Smith, Sr., who works as a technical lead for a company that sells, installs and maintains power generation equipment, said serving as a camp chaperone gave him the chance to see his sons interact with others and use their problem solving abilities. It also gave him the chance to meet other like-minded adults.

“We all had the chance to learn new things together and with our kids,” he said. “We even had the chance to share our ideas about parenting.”

The camp was a lot of work for both generations of Smiths, from building the Rube Goldberg machine to waiting almost two years to attend Space Camp to participating successfully in camp activities.

“These kinds of experiences are great for kids; you have to take the opportunity when you get it,” said Smith, Sr. “Would I recommend it? Absolutely.”