Astronaut holds science camp at USA

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - A two-week camp to help serve children who are interested in science and mathematics featured guidance from a veteran NASA astronaut.

The University of South Alabama hosts the camp, which is free to underserved middle school-aged students.

Harris Foundation founder and veteran NASA astronaut, Dr. Bernard Harris, hosts 20 such camps around the country. Harris said his goal is to inspire kids, especially socially disadvantaged kids, to pursue their dreams.

"Through this opportunity, students have access to highly qualified educators and professionals who work to develop students' leadership and problem-solving skills, which are critical components of success," said Dr. Harris.

It's sponsored by ExxonMobil and The Harris Foundation, is part of the STEM-based (science, technology, engineering, and math) curriculum.

Harris, who spent more than 400-hours in space on two shuttle missions, will work with engineers from ExxonMobil and offer guidance to the students as they use math and science to solve problems.

"The whole purpose of this camp is to get kids excited about fulfilling their dreams," said Dr. Harris.

Harris said those career dreams will likely require problem-solving skills and the ability to perform calculations.

"Math and science is going to be involved in just about anything a person would choose to do," said Harris.

At the University of South Alabama, the kids worked on creating durable space suit swatches using every day household materials.

They worked in teams and came up with design decisions.

Dr. Harris admits these kids already like math and science. He said their interest will hopefully rub off on other students when they return to their respective schools in the fall. Harris says word-of-mouth is what attracts kids to the camps each year.

"We look at this as an investment in our future," said Dr. Harris.

More importantly, Dr. Harris said schools need to do more to help kids understand the importance of learning math and science.

Harris said other countries invest more in the education of youth and the U. S. is falling behind. He said that needs to change if the US wants to keep up with the rest of the world.

"I think in our school systems we don't spend enough time connecting the dots for kids," said Dr. Harris. "When you explain to them that many of the electronics they use required someone skilled in math and science to create it, they get it."