A local high school student recently spent three days immersed in the world of science and technology at a summer camp for future professionals held at an East Coast university.
Heaven Burpo, 16, traveled to Boston during the last week of June to attend the National Academy of Future Scientists and Technologists' Congress of Future Science and Technology Leaders.
"I found out I love flying," she said casually.
For the Poplar Bluff High School sophomore, it was a series of firsts -- her first time on an airplane, her first visit to Boston, and her first overnight stay in a college dormitory, as the camp was held at the University of Massachusetts.
Burpo said the academy exposed her not only to fellow high school students from across the nation, but to various guest speakers from the field of science and technology.
She heard lectures delivered by Nobel Prize winners, professors, inventors, and various other professionals including her personal favorite, motivational speaker and therapist Sean Stephenson, who is known as the 3-Foot Giant.
Her preassigned roommates were from the St. Louis area, which, Burpo felt, was a strategic plan on behalf of the academy to group together students from similar regions.
Burpo said though she enjoys studying science, her true passion lies in art. However, she said the academy's message to pursue individual interests applies to all career paths, while in turn shows young people there is a world beyond their hometowns.
"My biggest takeaway was... don't limit yourself," she said.
When school starts in August, Burpo said she will approach her studies in a slightly different manner than before due to her recently expanded world view. She said though she has always been a diligent student, she will view her courses not only as a means to a grade, but to how the information she is learning applies to the world.
Burpo said she first learned about the Congress of Future Science and Technology Leaders in November when she received a letter in the mail nominating her to attend. She said her interest in science and high grade point average put her among the qualified candidates and feels her nomination was likely the result of a survey taken before a standardized test.
Her grandmother, Sharon Burpo, who traveled to Boston with her granddaughter, said upon learning about Burpo's opportunity, she was certain she wanted the young woman to attend.
"It is so important for her to get out of Poplar Bluff and see there is an entire world out there for her to explore," said Sharon, who spent time in the military and continues to travel regularly.
Before returning home, Burpo reunited with her grandparents and visited the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. She said aside from flying, the museum was a highlight of her trip.