OSGC Educational Resources Blog

Oregon State University has been awarded a grant by the ExxonMobil Foundation and Harris Foundation to host a summer camp for middle school (entering grades 6- 8 ) students to attend a Summer Science Camp on the OSU campus on Corvallis, Oregon.

OSU is seeking 48 exceptional future scientists to begin the learning adventure this summer! Students are invited to apply for this two-week residential camp, to be held Aug. 5-17, 2007. The application deadline is May 25, 2007. All youth selected will receive full scholarships to attend. The estimated value is $1600.00 per young person.

OSU will offer innovative programs to enhance middle school students’ knowledge in all areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Work in labs, visit researchers and teaching professors, travel to the Oregon coast and the Cascade Mountains and enjoy a wide range of recreational options as well. While teaching subject matter skills, OSU is also encouraging students to stay in school and fostering leadership and citizenship. Students will live in the dorms with their assigned “camp family” including high school, college and adult staff.

The Summer Science camp will be conducted as a joint effort of the Department of 4-H Youth Development Education, the Science and Math Investigative Learning Experiences (SMILE) program, Science Math Education Department and the College of Engineering.

Selection will be based on academic commitment (not necessarily performance) and teacher recommendations. OSU hopes to receive applications from female students and students who belong to populations who are traditionally underrepresented in the fields of science and math.

The application process is simple, just print the application form and mail it to OSU by the May 25, 2007 deadline. Application information is available in English and Spanish.

For further information and counselor applications, please visit:
http://oregon.4h.oregonstate.edu/programs/events/techcamp.htm

NASA has announced the winner of the 2007 Space Pennant Design Cahllenge! Congratulations to T. Das of Mount Laurel, NJ who is the Grand Prize Winner. More information about the winning design can be found at the official website:
http://www.kol-nasa.onlinepromo.com/win/final.cfm

(From the latest NOVA newsletter)
Next on NOVA: “The Great Robot Race”
http://www.pbs.org/nova/darpa

Tuesday, May 22, 2007 at 8 p.m.
Check your local listings as dates and times may vary.

Join NOVA for an exclusive backstage pass to the DARPA Grand Challenge — a raucous race for robotic, driverless vehicles sponsored by the Pentagon, which awards a $2 million purse to the winning team. Armed with artificial intelligence, laser-guided vision, GPS navigation, and 3-D mapping systems, the contenders are some of the world’s most advanced robots. Yet even their formidable technology and mechanical prowess may not be enough to overcome the grueling, 130-mile course through Nevada’s desert terrain. From concept to construction to the final competition, “The Great Robot Race” delivers the absorbing inside story of clever engineers and their unyielding drive to create a champion, capturing the only aerial footage that exists of the Grand Challenge.

Here’s what you’ll find on the companion Web site:

Meet the Teams
Watch video clips and learn more about “Sandstorm,” “Ghostrider,” and 10 other racing robots.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/darpa/team.html

Cars That Drive Themselves
In a lively interview, Stanford’s Sebastian Thrun shares his excitement about real-world applications for autonomous vehicles.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/darpa/cars.html

A Triumph for New Orleans
How did a team of self-proclaimed “nobodies” survive Katrina and go on to almost win the Grand Challenge?
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/darpa/gray.html

VIDEO & SLIDE SHOW

What Robots See
 In this slide show, look out through the “eyes” of computer-driven vehicles.
 http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/darpa/see.html

Watch the Program
 The hour-long program is available to view online.
 http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/darpa/program.html

Video Extras
 See a wild and bumpy Grand Challenge practice run in the Mojave, find out how the motorcycle robot balances itself, and more.
 http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/darpa/outtakes.html

Also, Links & Books, a Teacher’s Guide, a video preview of the program, the program transcript, and more:
http://www.pbs.org/nova/darpa