Science camp helps students prepare for high-tech careers

ANCHORAGE — Three Valley middle-schoolers were among 50 students who participated in the ExxonMobil Bernard Harris Summer Science Camp in July at the University of Alaska Anchorage in conjunction with Alaska Native Science and Engineering Program.

The two-week camp was one of 20 camps nationwide aimed at encouraging students to pursue high-tech careers and sharpening their math and science skills during summer break.

The all-expenses-paid program, founded by astronaut Dr. Bernard A. Harris Jr., was offered in partnership with the ExxonMobil Foundation and has helped more than 7,000 students hone their STEM skills during its eight-year existence.

The “Space Day” competition July 16 included the Bernard Harris Science Camp Space Suit challenge to see who could create the most durable spacesuit swatch using household items and a Skype chat with Harris.

A majority of young people experience summer learning loss with low-income youth aimed more significantly impacted than any other socioeconomic group, according to research from The Center for Summer Learning at Johns Hopkins University.