Area middle school students are curing the summer “brain drain” this year with a heavy dose of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fun at the ExxonMobil Bernard Harris Summer Science Camp hosted by Florida A&M University (FAMU). The hands-on program offers students an exciting way to beat the heat as they design space suits while experiencing life on a college campus.Founded by veteran astronaut Dr. Bernard A. Harris, Jr., the program targets underserved youth. It is a two-week, all-expenses-paid residential camp that encourages math and science. The ExxonMobil Foundation provides funding and expertise of talented engineers to support the educational experience.
“Summer learning opportunities are crucial to continued academic success,” said Dr. Bernard A. Harris, Jr., veteran astronaut and camp founder. “In partnership with the ExxonMobil Foundation, we are able to offer students a tremendous opportunity to hone the math, science, communications and leadership skills needed to realize their full potential. Our goal is to inspire them to reach beyond the classroom and pursue careers in critical technology fields.”
For the sixth consecutive year, the ExxonMobil Foundation has partnered with Harris and his nonprofit organization, The Harris Foundation, to provide residential camps to underrepresented and underserved middle school students at 25 universities across the country. This is the second year FAMU has had the honor of participating in the program.
During a recent “Space Day” event, students were treated to a visit by Harris where they heard first-hand about his inspirational journey to become the first African American to walk in space and the extreme elements he encountered during his historic spacewalk.
“At Florida A&M University, we understand the importance of partnering with ExxonMobil and others to fuel the pipeline of students needed to keep our state and country competitive,” said FAMU President James H. Ammons. “We are building the next generation of scientists and engineers and we are proud to be a part of the effort.”
The demand for workers with strong math and science skills is significant as eight out of 10 of the fastest growing occupations in the nation are in STEM fields, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The camp program aims to fill this critical need by offering a curriculum that features hands-on experiments, team competitions and field excursions to help students build essential skills. Campers receive quality instruction from local educators and hear from ExxonMobil engineers about the exciting and rewarding aspects of their profession.
“We have seen this experience positively impact youth in our community, and look forward to witnessing our students’ dramatic growth as they gain valuable knowledge and a passion for math and science this summer,” said Edith Davis, director of FAMU’s ExxonMobil Bernard Harris Summer Science Camp. “At FAMU, we understand the important role STEM programs such as these play in preparing students for the high-tech careers of tomorrow.”