When Vina eighth grader Camron Burks discovered the U.S. Space and Rocket Center’s Robotics Academy online, he was eager to be part of it.

“We built a robot, drones, and submarines,” Burks said. “It was really fun. It was an experience.”

The weeklong educational program promoted science, technology, engineering and math, while training students and adults with hands-on activities and missions based on teamwork, leadership and decision-making. The Robotics Academy is “specifically designed for trainees who have a particular interest in engineering. The mission of Space Camp Robotics is to show trainees how engineers develop solutions for real-world problems using real-world technologies. At all age levels, trainees use state-of-the-art robotics systems to compete in air, sea and land activities and missions,” explained a release from the U.S. Space and Rocket Center.

“Using the Office of Naval Research’s SeaPerch undersea robotics, Camron and the other trainees tested payloads on an unmanned aerial vehicle, all while strengthening teamwork and leadership skills.”
Burks said an interest in technology and how it works drove him to participate in the camp, where he learned “a lot of cool stuff,” like the binary number system and how to program. He is already excited about going again next year and hopes to take a few friends along.