The University has been selected as one of 19 colleges and universities nationwide that will host the 2007 ExxonMobil Bernard Harris Summer Science Camp, sponsored by ExxonMobil Corp. and led by Bernard Harris, M.D., a former NASA astronaut and the first African-American to conduct a spacewalk. This is the first year the program has been expanded nationally; last year there were only two camp locations. Together, this year’s camps will reach more than 1,000 middle school students.
The WUSTL camp will be held June 17-29, centered in the Department of Biology in Arts & Sciences. Susan K. Flowers, biology’s Science Outreach coordinator/instructor, will be camp director. Chris Mohr, Science Outreach laboratory manager, will be camp coordinator.
The two-week residential camp offers innovative programs that enhance students’ knowledge in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, while encouraging youth to stay in school and fostering leadership and citizenship. The goal of the camp — which is free — is to improve education and career opportunities for disadvantaged students.
Students will be recruited from University City, Maplewood, Richmond Heights, Jennings, East St. Louis and Hazelwood, Flowers said. Forty-eight students will be selected based on academic qualifications, interest in science and teacher recommendations. The campers will be housed in the South 40 dorms.
During camp, the students will attend daily classes in natural science, engineering, mathematics and technology. Their teachers will be WUSTL faculty and teachers from area school districts, along with guest speakers. Activities include classroom study, experiments, field trips, and individual and group projects.