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Visit Our Vanderbilt University Dyer Observatory Space Science Summer Camp Website
615 373-4897 Phone
615 371-3904 Fax
a.rockafellar[AT]vanderbilt.edu
1000 Oman Drive
Brentwood, Tennessee 37027
CAMPER AGES: Rising 5th-8th graders
TYPE OF CAMP: Day Camp. Daily M-F 9am-3pm, Wednesday 7am-5:30pm
CAMPER GENDER(S): Coed Campers.
BRIEF CAMP DESCRIPTION: The focus of Vanderbilt Dyer Observatory's camp is astronomy and space science. Campers learn about how scientists discover the secrets of the universe, from exotic black holes to the nature of light. During the week, campers are engaged in exciting hands-on educational science activities including launching rockets, working with and building electronics, and working with telescopes.
CAMP INSTRUCTIONAL ACTIVITIES OFFERED:
Computers, Math, Science, Technology, Academics, and more.
CAMP LOCATION: Vanderbilt Dyer Observatory, 1000 Oman Drive, Brentwood Tennessee. The Observatory is located off of Granny White Pike, approximately 1/2 mile north of Old Hickory Blvd.
We are on a high peak, surrounded by Radnor Lake natural area.
Please note we are NOT on the main Vanderbilt campus.
CAMP FACILITIES: Vanderbilt Dyer Observatory is located on a nine-acre hilltop in Brentwood, TN that is almost completely surrounded by Radnor Lake State Park. The dense woods that surround the Observatory allow visitors opportunities to see a multitude of wildlife including songbirds, turkeys, squirrels, and deer. The Observatory itself houses a 24” Cassegrain reflector as well as two other permanently-mounted telescopes. There are numerous exhibits throughout the observatory, a library where events such as summer camps and lectures are held, and a large brick patio in the rear where outdoor activities take place.
CAMP PROGRAM INFO: An underlying philosophy of the camp program is that every child with a interest in science should have the opportunity to explore and understand the universe in which we live. The camps are led by staff outreach astronomer Dr. Billy Teets and are facilitated by seasoned volunteers with extensive knowledge in astronomy and physics, as well as high school-age counselors who serve as mentors to the camp participants.
The camp curriculum has been created by an expert team of astronomy professors, space scientists, and area science teachers. Participation in group activities builds self-confidence, problem solving ability, and social skills.
Sample past activities:
• Interact with cutting-edge research astronomers
• Learn how telescopes work, and build your own
• Safely view the dynamic surface of the Sun through a solar telescope and attend a nighttime telescope viewing
• Journey to the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, AL for a day-long adventure
• Learn about basic electronics, and use the knowledge to build working projects
• Construct a functioning model Hubble Space Telescope
• Make your own realistic models of comets, and learn how craters are formed
• Design and launch bottle rockets as an introduction to rocketry
CAMP SCHOLARSHIPS OR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE: Merit scholarships are not awarded, but financial aid is available to those students who demonstrate financial need. Please email a.rockafellar[AT]vanderbilt.edu for more information.
YEAR-ROUND PROGRAMS: March-November we have monthly daytime Open Houses and monthly Telescope Nights which are open to the public. Tickets may be accessed through our website: dyer.vanderbilt.edu
CAMP SESSION DATES & FEES:
July 8-12 2019 9am-3pm for rising 5th and 6th graders
July 15-19 2019 9am-3pm for rising 7th and 8th graders
The field trip day will be longer (which is usually Wednesday.) Campers and their parents will be invited one evening during the week for a telescope viewing program.
Each one week session is $450 and includes all materials and the field trip to the Rocket Center in Huntsville, AL.
Be sure to check each camp listing under INSTRUCTIONAL ACTIVITIES OFFERED for the range of Special Interest Activities and Programs provided by each Tennessee Academic Summer Camp or Summer Academic Recreation Program.
Many Tennessee Day and Sleepaway Academic Camps offer professional level instruction in a wide-range of Academic Activities.
For a complete List of Tennessee Special Interest Academic Summer Camps & Summer Academic Recreation Programs scroll down to the big black bar at the very bottom of this page.
You can go directly to any of our other 2024 Special Interest Camp Directories from the list in the black bar at the bottom of this page.
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