HUTCHINSON — It’s “All Systems Go” for the Cosmosphere Mars Academy Camp! Three area sixth grade students won scholarships to attend this three-day overnight camp where they will focus on building a habitat for another world, understand and overcome the challenges of gathering resources necessary for life, and practice skills like operating robotics and drones. The camp activities culminate in a team mission to orbit Earth.
This is the fifth straight year that Citizens Bank of Kansas (CBK) has provided this opportunity for students in the communities it serves. Sixth grade students are invited to participate in an essay contest describing “Why I Want to Go to Space Camp” to win the opportunity.
The 2020 scholarship winners are:
• Ellie Samms – Winfield Middle School
• Skyler Thimesch – Cunningham Elementary
• Thomas McLendon – Towanda In
Even though this year’s contest has seen uncertainty due to Covid-19, Mimi Meredith, Cosmosphere’s Sr. Vice President and Chief Development Officer, advises that they are “working closely with our local health department as well as national camping organizations” to ensure all safety protocols are being followed.
“Providing Cosmosphere Camp scholarships is a great way to recognize students in our communities,” said Jane Deterding, Chairman of the Board of Citizens Bank of Kansas. “It is especially heartening this year to see the excitement in these students’ faces when they realize they get to leave the house, learn some new things and have fun doing so.”