Global Friendship Through Space Education (GFTSE)  is a California-based 501(c) 3 non-profit organization founded in 2002. It is dedicated to promoting friendship among young people from different countries and cultures through the study of space-related science and technology.

GFTSE `s goal of global friendship is accomplished through our Partner School Science Program and Scholarship Program.  Both programs are administered by Mr. Tolga Yildirim, GFTSE Programs Manager, Space Camp Turkey.

PARTNER SCHOOL SCIENCE PROGRAM (PSSP)

Our year-long program has two geographic components:  PSSP – U.S.A. and PSSP - Europe.

PSSP – U.S.A.  connects partner schools (ages 12-15)  in Turkey and the United States through:

·         E-mail between students about space-related projects and sharing of information about their daily lives.

·         Collaborative research on NASA’s distance-learning website.

·         Videoconferencing  and facilitation provided by NASA. During the videoconference session students are able to share their work and models with a NASA expert.

·         E-Pal Week, a special summer session at  Space Camp Turkey (optional)

PSSP – Europe connects partner schools (ages 12-15) in Turkey and European countries through:  

·         E-mail between students about space-related projects and sharing of information about their daily lives.

·         Collaborative research on NASA’s distance-learning website.

·         Videoconferencing  and facilitation provided by Space Camp Turkey. During the videoconference session, students share their work and models on a common subject with a Space Camp Turkey staff expert.

·         E-Pal Week, a special summer session at  Space Camp Turkey (optional)

SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

GFTSE awards scholarships to 12-15 year old students, who may be gifted, disadvantaged or victims of natural disasters (such as earthquake victims from Van, Turkey  and Sichuan, China).  Depending upon their language proficiency, students attend one of the following programs during the summer:

• 6-Day (English-Language) International Space Camp : Since 2002, young people from over thirty different countries have participated in the 6-day program. The experience not only stimulates interest in science and math, but also offers the opportunity to make lasting relationships by working in teams of twelve, side-by-side campers from different countries.

• 6- Day (Turkish-Language) Space Camp : This 6-day program is offered  in Turkish because most Turkish students from disadvantaged backgrounds do not speak English well enough to participate in the international program. Campers who attend this program have the opportunity to meet young people from throughout Turkey and also enjoy a unique educational experience.
  
  

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