Aerospace Education
Without Barriers
Camp Liftoff was founded on the belief that a kid who builds a rocket — and sees it fly — is forever changed. We exist to create that moment for every student who walks through our door.
We exist to prove that aerospace is for everyone.
Camp Liftoff puts real tools, real challenges, and real encouragement into the hands of middle schoolers — the exact age when most students decide whether they're "science people" or not.
We refuse to let that decision be made based on a lack of access. 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Need-based scholarships. EIN available on request.
What We Stand For
Six values that shape every decision we make — from curriculum design to financial aid policy.
Hands-On Over Theoretical
Every concept is learned by building, testing, and launching real rockets — not worksheets.
Access Before Prestige
Need-based scholarships up to 100%. Aerospace should not be a privilege.
Community Over Competition
Collaboration, peer mentorship, and shared growth. Campers who struggle get support — not judgment.
Our Journey
From 12 students in a borrowed gym to a full aerospace academy.
Meet Our Team
Aerospace professionals and educators who bring real-world experience to every session.
Program Leadership
Dr. James Okafor
Executive Director & Co-Founder
Dr. Okafor is an aerospace engineer with 18 years of experience at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, where he led propulsion subsystems for two Mars missions. He founded Camp Liftoff in 2018 with the mission of bringing hands-on aerospace education to underrepresented youth.
- Ph.D. Aerospace Engineering, MIT
- B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Howard University
- +2 more credentials
Instructional Staff
Dr. Priya Sharma
Director of Curriculum & Lead Physicist
Dr. Sharma brings a decade of physics education and curriculum design to Camp Liftoff. She has developed aerospace STEM programs adopted by three school districts and holds active research in orbital mechanics at UC San Diego.
- Ph.D. Physics, Stanford University
- B.S. Astrophysics, UC Berkeley
- +2 more credentials
Marcus Rivera
Lead Rocketry Instructor
Marcus is a certified Tripoli Rocketry Association Level 3 member and former high-power rocketry competition champion. He brings technical precision, infectious energy, and a deep love of hands-on building to every session.
- B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Tech
- Tripoli Level 3 High Power Rocketry Cert.
- +2 more credentials
Aisha Thompson
CAD & Simulation Instructor
Aisha is a product designer and aerospace engineer who spent five years designing satellite components at Lockheed Martin before joining Camp Liftoff full-time to pass her passion for design to the next generation.
- B.S. Aerospace Engineering, Virginia Tech
- Autodesk Certified Fusion 360 Instructor
- +2 more credentials
Kevin Park
Operations Director
Kevin ensures every camp session runs like a well-engineered system. He manages logistics, facility safety, vendor partnerships, and camper registration — so the instructors can focus on teaching.
- B.A. Nonprofit Management, American University
- PMP Certified Project Manager
- +2 more credentials
Advisory Board
Dr. Valerie Nguyen
Board Chairperson
Dr. Nguyen is a professor of aerospace engineering at UCLA and board chair for Camp Liftoff. She provides academic oversight, institutional partnerships, and mentors our senior staff.
- Ph.D. Aerospace Engineering, Caltech
- UCLA Faculty — 14 Years
- +2 more credentials
Robert Chen
Advisory Board — Industry Partner
Robert is a VP of Engineering at Blue Origin and serves on our advisory board. He helps align our curriculum with real industry needs and facilitates our partnership with the commercial spaceflight sector.
- M.S. Systems Engineering, Cornell
- VP Engineering, Blue Origin (Current)
- +2 more credentials