GRAND FORKS – Two youth from Ward County attended the 4-H Aerospace Camp on April 7 in Grand Forks at the University of North Dakota. The Ward County youth in attendance were Peyton Helwig, Kenmare, and Austin Wingenbach, Surrey.

At the UND aerospace facilities, the youth attended a “Wings Cafe,” where they interviewed UND students majoring in aerospace. Afterwards, the 4-H members were able to tour the airplanes and watch demonstrations on proper airplane maintenance.

The attending 75 4-H youth and adults were split into three groups for three hour-long sessions on Air Traffic Control (ATC), Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAS), and Space Studies. During ATC, the youth were able to see the patterns for flying and test out flying simulators. The UAS session included discussion on careers that use UAS, and the youth were able to fly a UAS, or drone, through an obstacle course.

During Space Studies, the youth watched a video about Mars, and UND students shared how they are contributing to the research on Mars. UND students are currently testing equipment, such as helmets, and ways to grow food on Mars. Youth were able to try on some of the test helmets.