The University of Texas at Arlington
Office of Public Affairs

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media contact: Sue Stevens, (817) 272-3317, sstevens@uta.edu

ARLINGTON - WHAT: Eagerly putting aside their popsicles and tossing the TV remote, local middle-school youth have packed up for a different kind of camp that includes summer fun, an opportunity to get ahead in school and a chance to experience college life.

As a part of the ExxonMobil Bernard Harris Summer Science Camp that The University of Texas at Arlington is hosting, camp participants are gearing up for a special “ExxonMobil Day.” Students will have the chance to conduct hands-on experiments, participate in highly interactive demonstrations, and learn about engineering and other science careers with ExxonMobil engineers and scientists.

WHO: Bernard Harris, the first African American to walk in space, Dr. Greg Hale, Director of the Science Education and Career Center at UT Arlington,  UT Arlington faculty and student camp counselors, 48 middle-school youth

WHEN: Tuesday, July 22
 10 a.m.-11:30

WHERE: UT Arlington
 Physics Conference Room
 Third floor, Chemistry & Physics Research Building
                      700 Planetarium Place

VISUAL: Campers participating in hands-on experiments with everyday items to learn
                       about science

WHY: Studies show that the United States will face a critical shortage of engineers, scientists and other technically trained workers in the future.  To help address this crisis, former astronaut Bernard Harris and ExxonMobil have teamed up to develop 25 two-week free summer camps across the country that offer innovative math and science programs to encourage middle school students to stay in school, develop their knowledge in these disciplines and foster their interest to eventually pursue careers in these fields. 

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