DURHAM -- The United States House of Representatives voted to boost funding for science agencies by $330 million. That includes money for the National Science Foundation to train more math and science teachers.

"I love science, especially biology and things about the body. It's the most amazing subject in the world, I think,” science teacher Andrea Townsend said. That’s why she became a high school teacher and why she is spending her summer working at a free science camp for younger children.

"You have to learn a lot of stuff so you can grow up to be a dentist or a basketball player,” camper Julian Blanks said.

Teachers said camps like these help nurture an interest in science, especially since there's not always time to focus on science during the school year.

"It's very important because we as a nation are not leading like we used to in science education for our kids and our students, and they are our future,” Crystal Harden, a student at UNC Chapel Hill said.

National science agencies are hoping to get more funding for research, development and education in the coming years to tackle issues that affect everyone, like global warming.

But for teachers like Townsend, the focus is on the kids and making sure they develop a love for science at an early age.

"It's just a building block, a basis to where they can go further and know more, and they'll be more knowledgeable about the world around them,” Townsend said.

The science camp is sponsored by Glaxo Smith Kline. It’s the first year the company is doing this in North Carolina. Organizers hope to expand the free camp to more counties next year.