North Carolina Central University News July 15, 2015 NCCU News: Aspiring Scientists Work Alongside Astronaut During the ExxonMobil Bernard Harris Summer Science Camp<http://www.theharrisfoundation.org/sitecontent/565/summer-science-camp/category/457/education.aspx> at North Carolina Central University<http://www.nccu.edu/>, nearly 48 Triangle area middle-school students strengthened their science, technology, engineering and math, or STEM, knowledge and skills under the direction of college professors and science professionals, including Dr. Bernard A. Harris Jr., the first African-American to walk in space. On July 15, 2015, the students took part in the Mars Lander Challenge, a space-themed competition inspired by camp founder and veteran astronaut Harris. Using household materials, student teams created spacecraft capable of absorbing shock from a planetary landing. Harris, members of the NCCU faculty, and ExxonMobil engineers worked alongside campers, offering guidance as they constructed their designs. "Dreams are powerful if you have the tools to make them possible," said Harris. "You are born multitalented with the ability to do anything and be anybody. And you are born for a reason." Through hands-on activities such as building robots and testing space crafts, students are able to see how science, technology, engineering and math integrate with daily life, Harris said. The middle-school students participated in the interactive, inquiry-based classes through scholarship support from the ExxonMobil Foundation. Campers also explored local museums and nature centers to discover STEM within their communities. "The ExxonMobil Bernard Harris camp program is a key avenue for students to experience STEM fields at an early age," said Suzanne McCarron, president of the ExxonMobil Foundation. "Inspiring today's youth to develop an interest - and ultimately pursue careers - in math, science and engineering is critical to ensuring the next generation of leaders is armed with innovative skills to address the challenges of the 21st century." This summer marks the 10th consecutive year that the ExxonMobil Foundation and The Harris Foundation have partnered to promote STEM learning. This is the first year North Carolina Central University has been selected as a program site. For more information, visit www.theharrisfoundation.org<http://www.theharrisfoundation.org/>. SANDRA M. PHOENIX Executive Director HBCU Library Alliance sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org> www.hbculibraries.org<http://www.hbculibraries.org/> 800-999-8558, ext. 4820 404-702-5854 Skype: sandra.phoenix1 1438 West Peachtree NW Suite 200 Atlanta,GA 30309 Toll Free: 1.800.999.8558 (LYRASIS) Fax: 404.892.7879 www.lyrasis.org<http://www.lyrasis.org/> Honor the ancestors, honor the children.