In 10 or 15 years, Katie Butts could be an astronaut. 

That’s why the teenager from Bradenton, Florida spent Friday learning about science, her favorite subject. 

“My dad introduced me to Star Trek when I was really young, so that made me fall in love with space,” said the 15-year-old, who was joined by other young people at the NASA Astro camp at Meridian Community College.

During the week, teenagers participated in science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) activities, with courses including marine biology, robotics and word painting. This is the first year the college has held the NASA Astro Camp for teens.

Valerie Bishop, a biology instructor at MCC said the camp was developed at the Stennis Space Center on the Gulf Coast. Students in the class learn about the solar system, Newton’s Law, rockets, astronauts and the international space station. They also make paper rockets, parachutes and actual rockets they shot up into the air outside. 

Lauren Boutwell,15, came to the camp to learn about what astronauts do. She wants to work in the field, said but she’d prefer to stay on the ground, not fly in space.   

“I would want to be the one behind the operation,” she said. 

Isabella Temple, 14, enjoyed learning about space, but said her interest mostly lies in biochemistry. One interesting thing she learned at the camp was how people can’t see  ultraviolet rays. 

Butts, Boutwell and Temple all said they liked learning about the International Space Station and what’s like to live in space. 

“I think that it would be super cool,” Temple said.

Bishop hopes that more young people attend next year’s camps, as the field is growing, she said. 

“We feel like there is a good future for kids who major in the STEAM profession,” Bishop said.