27 June 2019
In the busy arrivals terminal of Dulles International (IAD), the 111 delegates found their way to the start of the 56th annual National Youth Science Camp (NYSCamp). The National Youth Science Camp was founded in 1963 as part of the Centennial Celebration of West Virginia to bring together two students from each of the United States with in interest in STEM. Today, the NYSCamp includes 17 international delegates. With Brazil, Argentina, Ecuador, Chile, Trinidad and Tobago, Costa Rica, Mexico, and Bolivia are all being represented in the 2019 delegation.
During the program over 100 students become ambassadors for the state, teaching and learning from each other’s strengths and weaknesses. Over the next few weeks the delegates will build long lasting friendships through exploring various topics, such as science, math, and the great outdoors. The NYSCamp hopes “to showcase West Virginia and to encourage students to pursue careers in STEM”, according to Dr. Andy Blackwood, Ed.D. the National Youth Science Foundation (NYSFoundation) Director.
After arriving the delegates will travel to Camp Pocahontas in Bartow, WV to begin their educational journey. The first lecture will begin tomorrow morning after the delegates have had a chance to unpack and orient themselves to their new surroundings. They will have opportunities to get to know each other and take a tour of camp.
A more extended photo gallery can be found here.
