Students Prepare for a Mars Landing at Summer Science Camp at WPI
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Tuesday, July 22, 2014
GoLocalWorcester News Team
Forty-eight students from Central Massachusetts will have the opportunity to participate in the Mars Lander Challenge – a space-themed competition – during the ExxonMobil Bernard Harris Summer Science Camp program at Worcester Polytechnic Institute.
Students will learn about camp founder and veteran astronaut Bernard Harris Jr. and his journey to become the first African American to walk in space. They will also learn about the extreme conditions he encountered during his two space shuttle missions.
"From building spacecraft to designing robots and bridges, students see, firsthand, science, technology, engineering, and math come alive through real-world applications," said Harris, president of the Harris Foundation, who oversees the mentoring of underserved youth at 20 such camps nationwide.
As a part of the program’s science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) curriculum, students will use a variety of household materials to create a spacecraft capable of absorbing the shock of a planetary landing. University administrators and faculty, as well as an ExxonMobil engineer, will work alongside campers, offering guidance as they construct their designs.
A Focus on Teamwork
The program is a two-week, all expenses paid experience designed to help middle school students enhance proficiency in STEM based learning.
This year’s camp has a special focus on teamwork and hands-on activities such as creating rockets, rollercoasters, model homes, and more, using specially designed software.
Additionally, area teachers will show campers math and science at work in their community through field excursions to local ecosystems, nature parks, and area museums.
"Technology is essential to nearly every industry, and students need to be well-versed in science and math in order to be prepared to succeed in the high-tech nature of the 21st century," said Suzanne McCarron, president of the ExxonMobil Foundation. "ExxonMobil is committed to preparing the future workforce through programs like the Bernard Harris science camps that help today’s youth develop an interest and solid foundation in STEM."
A Yearly Fixture
This summer marks the ninth consecutive year the ExxonMobil Foundation and The Harris Foundation have partnered to offer science camps that help close the achievement gap. This is the fifth year WPI has been selected to participate in the program.
"This is the fifth time in six years that WPI has partnered with ExxonMobile and Dr. Harris to bring this program to underserved students in Central Massachusetts," said Bonnie Hall, executive director of the ExxonMobil Bernard Harris Summer Science Camp at WPI. "This type of hands-on STEM program will help give them the self-confidence to thrive in the classroom and beyond."
Related Slideshow: 25 Must Do’s in Central MA this Summer
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The Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts
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