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CORVALLIS, Ore. -- For the fifth year, the 4-H Program at Oregon State University has received an $80,000 grant to host the ExxonMobil Bernard Harris Summer Science Camp, a two-week residential camp for underserved middle school students.

Oregon students entering grades 6, 7, and 8 in the fall may apply to attend the camp, which will be July 31-Aug. 11 at Oregon State University. All campers will be fully funded by scholarship. Former astronaut Bernard Harris and ExxonMobil have partnered since 2006 to provide this program free of charge.

Harris, the first African-American astronaut to walk in space, will visit the camp. "It is my hope that students will be inspired to begin thinking about careers in science and technology," he said, "fields that offer excellent and rewarding opportunities for their future."

One of the largest programs of its kind, the camp offers students the opportunity to do field work, experiments and team-based competitions. In years past, middle school campers have teamed-up to plan 700-day missions to Mars and to make scale models of space modules to get them there.

Students live on campus during the two-week camp and participate in daily classes taught by university faculty and secondary teachers.

The OSU Extension Service 4-H Office will select 48 students to attend the program. Applicants must write a 250-word essay and have at least B average test scores in math and science and recommendations from science and math teachers. The application deadline is April 1.

The registration form is available online at http://oregon.4h.oregonstate.edu/summer-science-camp. A printed copy of the registration form can be requested from Hoffmann by calling 541-737-4081, or email [email protected].