Media Advisory - First African American to space walk will visit WUSTL science camp

June 18, 2007 --

WHO: Bernard Harris, aerospace flight surgeon and first African American to walk in space; Rosendo Cruz, engineer, ExxonMobil; Susan Flowers and Christine Mohr, instructors, Washington University; and 48 middle school students from St. Louis city and county, including six from Ferguson-Florissant, nine from Hazelwood, six from Jennings, three from Maplewood-Richmond Heights, 19 from University City, two from private schools, plus one each from Pattonville, Ladue and St. Louis Public Schools.

WHAT: Raft rally, a hands-on engineering challenge designed to help develop creative problem solving skills.

WHEN: Wednesday, June 20, 10:30 a.m. - noon. Harris will be on campus from 9:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. The camp runs every weekday, June 18-29.

WHERE: 151 Busch Lab and other areas on the Washington University campus.

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 20 two-week 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. Participating students were selected based on grades, teacher nominations, and interest in math and science.

Info: Dana Benedicktus at (314) 935-4229; cell 724-2297.