QUEENS — The final frontier is coming a little closer to home.
This summer, kids can learn all about planets, participate in flight simulations and study 3-D printing, during a free NASA-designed program offered at York College in Jamaica.
The hands-on classes are part of the Science, Engineering, Mathematics and Aerospace Academy Program (SEMAA), and are offered for children in 1st through 6th grades.
Most of the workshops are taught the college's Aerospace Educational Lab, which was installed at the campus by NASA, said program director, Dr. Nazrul Khandaker.
“We have flight simulators, a GPS station and weather station, we have a wind tunnel, as well as robotic stuff,” Khandaker said. "It’s a hidden treasure," he said about the lab.
According to the program's website, during the classes students "plan and execute a cross-country (or even space shuttle) flight while familiarizing themselves with the underlying science."
Children will also learn about planets at the college's planetarium.
The Jamaica campus is the only site hosting the program in the Tri-State area, according to Khandaker.
There are still spots available for the program — which runs from 9 a.m. to noon and is followed by a free lunch — starting July 21, and ending July 25.
The college also offers two eight-week Saturday sessions in the spring and fall.
The program is located at 94-20 Guy Brewer Blvd. in Jamaica. Applications are available here. For more information, call 718-262-2580 or 718-350-5998.
