Alumnus Bernard Harris, astronaut and physician, talks to middle school campers about the opportunities in science, technology, engineering and math at ExxonMobil/NASA-Bernard Harris Science Camp held at UH. Photo by Mark Lacy

What do feathers, flower petals, lipstick and lollipops have to do with engineering? Two-time University of Houston alumnus, astronaut and physician Bernard Harris can tell you.

During the two-week ExxonMobil/NASA-Bernard Harris Science Camp held at UH July 9 through July 21, Harris takes a hands-on approach in educating young campers in experiments that use imagination and scientific methods. The camp gives 60 local sixth through eighth graders an opportunity to attend daily classes in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) while living on campus. UH faculty and teachers from Houston-area school districts teach the classes.

In a special event July 13, Harris, the first African-American astronaut to walk in space, Gerald McElvy, ExxonMobil Foundation president and UH alumnus, and Byron Williams, a senior engineer at ExxonMobil, joined students in determining what objects were in various boxes using only a flashlight, ruler, scale, sound and their powers of deduction. Students completed their assignment with a little help from the three mentors, their investigative tools, and other items such as feathers, flower petals, light bulbs, candy, batteries, soda cans, lollipops and lipstick.

The camp goals include enhancing the proficiency of students in STEM subjects, increasing their ability to complete university and college programs in these disciplines successfully and enriching the math and science teacher/educator expertise in science, engineering and technology.

To participate in the program, students are required to demonstrate a high interest in math and science, have at least a B average in math and science, pass the state’s standardized tests and receive recommendations from math and science teachers.

The enthusiasm for the camp was overwhelming. More than 1,000 students across the nation applied for 85 spots at the two camps — one at UH and the other at Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SOSU). However, only students living in Texas and Oklahoma are accepted in the camps.

“The fact that word has gotten out with students inquiring about the camp from out of state shows the need for more of these camps expanding to other universities,” Harris said. “Partnerships like we have this year with ExxonMobil are the key. It benefits kids – what better can you do?”

Originally funded for its first year by a National Science Foundation grant given to UH in 1994, the ExxonMobil/NASA-Bernard Harris Science Camp has been shepherded by Harris ever since. Two years ago, the camp at (SOSU) was added. This year, ExxonMobil joined the camp as a sponsor to increase the impact and expand the program.

Lisa Merkl
lkmerkl@uh.edu