Bulgarian participant wins second award at this year’s Space Camp in Izmir

Bulgaria has won a second Outstanding Camper award at this year’s Space Camp summer programme, modelled on the training methods of the US space agency NASA and held in Izmir, Türkiye.

Fourteen-year-old Martina Duykova, a student at Sofia’s 22nd School, received the programme’s highest individual distinction. She was recognised for her scientific knowledge, leadership skills and teamwork during simulator training, rocket construction and simulated space missions, BTA reports.

“The whole Space Camp experience is truly unique. Being in such a place and meeting so many different people from all over the world is something special. I am extremely honoured to have won the Outstanding Camper medal. It is awarded for leadership and communication skills with others. It was amazing and, if I could, I would gladly do it all over again,” Duykova said.

This is Bulgaria’s second award at Space Camp this season. Earlier in the summer, the same medal was won by 14-year-old Kaloyan Stefanov, a ninth-grade student at the First Private Mathematical High School in Sofia.

This year, 150 Bulgarian students aged between 11 and 15 are taking part in the Space Camp programme. The third group of Bulgarian participants has already returned home, while a fourth delegation is due to leave at the end of August. The students will then have the opportunity to meet American astronaut Chris Sembroski.

Edited by Ivo Ivanov