LIBERTY TWP., MI While school is out for the summer, some students are still aiming for the stars.

Sixth- through twelfth-grade students from across the state gathered at Camp McGregor on Adams Road in Clark Lake June 30 through July 3 to learn about space and explore other galaxies with the guidance of local researchers and the use of the parks planetarium.

Xania Payne, Jackson College science professor, said she has volunteered to work Camp McGregor's Astronomy Camp for the past five years. She said 17 students took advantage of the camp this year, which has been hosted by the Jackson County Intermediate School Districts Mathematics and Science Center since the late 1990s.

Payne said the students most of which are from outside of Jackson County spent their days and nights researching outer space, conducting experiments and observing the otherworldly through the telescope in Camp McGregors planetarium. She said opportunities like these are especially beneficial for the students because their research is aided by eight instructors who have extensively studied topics related to space.

"Were here for growth," Payne said. "While theyre able to pick their own topic, were also inserting all types of information in the sessions."

Some of the projects students participated in during the camp include learning about solar systems and galaxies, making their own comets and using a webcam to record images of Saturn. Additionally, students chose and researched one topic to present to their peer and families during the closing ceremony Wednesday morning.

Payne said the type of opportunity is great because it is low-stress since the students are not being graded for their work, but, rather, students are simply encouraged to pursue topics in which they are interested.

"Theyre here because they want to be here," she said.

Jolie Saul, 14, of Ovid said she has attended the camp the past three years because each year she learns different information about astronomy and is able to practice public speaking when she presents her findings during the closing ceremony each year. This year she chose to research weather on Mars.

Jolie, who wants to work for NASA when she is older, said she has always loved learning about space and meeting people who share her passion.

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Students reach for the stars at annual Camp McGregor astronomy camp