Meta grant program helps send local students to Space Camp

2022-07-12

Huntsville, Ala. – More than 30 students from the Madison County area are attending Space Camp programs at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center this week, thanks to a three-year partnership with Meta. In 2021, the company awarded the Rocket Center a $300,000 grant to bring children who might otherwise be unable to attend Space Camp, Aviation Challenge and U.S. Cyber Camp.

The 34 students attending this week are from Huntsville and Madison City Schools, the Boys & Girls Clubs of North Alabama and Girls, Inc. Since 2021, 50 students have attended Space Camp and U.S. Cyber Camp thanks to this partnership with Meta.

“Meta is proud to call Huntsville home and to partner with organizations making a positive difference in the community,” said Katie Comer, head of community development with Meta. “Space Camp at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center is a unique educational experience only available here in Huntsville, and we’re thrilled to provide this learning opportunity to local students.”

Meta has been part of the Madison County community since 2018, when the company broke ground on its data center in Huntsville.

“We are grateful to Meta for providing the funding for these deserving children to attend our programs,” Dr. Kimberly Robinson, Rocket Center CEO and Executive Director, said. “Students from around the world attend our Space Camp programs as they explore their passion for science and technology, and this investment helps us give those in our own neighborhood that same opportunity to launch their futures.”

Members of the Meta Huntsville Data Center team will visit the Rocket Center Wednesday, July 14, to see the Meta-sponsored campers taking part in activities. Media are invited to attend, with the best opportunity at 10 a.m.

About U.S. Space & Rocket Center

The U.S. Space & Rocket Center, a Smithsonian Affiliate, is home to Space Camp®, Space Camp® Robotics, Aviation Challenge® and U.S. Cyber Camp as well as the Apollo 16 capsule, the National Historic Landmark Saturn V rocket, the INTUITIVE® Planetarium and world-class traveling exhibits. USSRC is the Official Visitor Center for NASA Marshall Space Flight Center and a showcase for national defense technologies developed at the U.S. Army’s Redstone Arsenal.

To learn more about the exciting programs and activities at the USSRC, go to www.rocketcenter.com.

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Media contact: Pat Ammons, pat.ammons@spacecamp.com; 256-721-5429