Shepherd University astrophysicist Jason Best will be the featured speaker for the Martha Wehrle Opening Lecture on Thursday, June 30 at 7:30 p.m. at the Clay Center for the Arts and Sciences in downtown Charleston as part of the 2011 National Youth Science Camp.

Best will present “To See Farther, To See Further,” which examines the need for reflection on issues science students face as they enter into higher education.

Best is a professor of astronomy and astrophysics at Shepherd University and the founding director of the Shepherd University Observatory. He participated in the 3-D Hydro research group at Indiana University developing accurate computer models of protostars and conducted research on white dwarf structure and galactic evolution at Penn State.

Best is the first speaker in the series of guest lecturers for the delegates of the NYSC this summer. The remainder of the month-long science education program will take place in the mountains surrounding Camp Pocahontas in Thornwood, W.Va.

NYSC, which has been in existence since 1963, selects two representatives from each state and will host delegates from 11 other countries this year. The NYSC is made possible by the support of the National Youth Science Foundation.

The Martha Wehrle Opening Lecture is free and open to the public.