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WNY STEM Hub, AT&T and partners offer STEM/STEAM experience for teens

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Thu, Jun 8th 2017 11:30 am
WNY students challenged to put hands & minds to good work this summer
Students entering grades 7 through 12 in the fall are invited to attend "Hand in Hand, Powered by AT&T," a tech and STEAM (science, technology, engineering, the arts, and math) experience for teens with a special dual purpose.
 
Student enrolled in "Hand in Hand" will work in teams to design and fabricate prosthetic hands using 3-D printers and other tech tools. The fully operational prosthetic hands will be donated to youth in need in Western New York and abroad.
 
The STEAM-focused program is designed to expose students, primarily from local urban middle and high schools, to basic knowledge of anatomy and careers in medical technology, plus fundamental technology skills in 3-D printing, engineering design, computer coding and advanced fabrication, in addition to providing leadership training and service learning.
 
"Hand in Hand" will be in session from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, July 5, to Friday, July 14, at the Health Sciences Charter School, 1140 Ellicott St., Buffalo. The project is limited to 30 student team members who will enter grades 7 through 12 next fall. Additionally, 14 high school student team leaders were identified to receive scholarship stipends and special training to lead the work of participants.
 
Interested participants are to email [email protected] for registration information. Registration fee waivers and transportation aid are available to eliminate economic barriers.
 
WNY STEM President Michelle Kavanaugh stated, "This is a project that's more than just learning technology, engineering design and science. More importantly, it's about the human element: demonstrating leadership, producing a product with a team, and doing good in the world. This is STEM learning at its best."
 
Kevin Hanna, director of external affairs at AT&T, said, "AT&T is proud to be able to collaborate with WNY STEM Hub and the other organizations to develop and support this incredible opportunity for local students to see firsthand how technology can be used to create life-changing solutions for those who live with disabilities and ailments.
 
As the world's economy continues to transform at a robust pace - requiring a workforce with a focus on technological education and literacy - STEM and STEAM programs like this one that provide immersive learning environment are vital to ensure that the students of today are able to compete in the global economy of tomorrow."
 
Students who take part in this experience will use online open-source resources provided by e-NABLE, an online global community made up of individuals from all over the world who are utilizing 3-D printers to create free 3-D fabricated hands and arms for those in need of an upper limb assistive devices.
 
The community collaborates on ways to help improve the open-source 3-D printable designs for hands and arms for those who were born missing fingers or who have lost them due to war, disease or natural disaster. The e-NABLE community is made up of teachers, students, engineers, scientists, medical professionals, tinkerers, designers, parents, children, Scout troops, artists, philanthropists, dreamers, coders, makers and everyday people who seek to make a difference and help to "Give the World a Helping Hand."
 
AT&T's partnership with WNY STEM in this project is part of the company's legacy of supporting educational programs focused on STEM disciplines in New York through AT&T Aspire, the company's signature $400 million philanthropic initiative that drives innovation in education by bringing diverse resources to bear on the issue, including funding, technology, employee volunteerism and mentoring. Aspire is one of the nation's largest corporate commitments focused on school success and workforce readiness by creating new learning environments and educational delivery systems to help students succeed and prepare them to take on 21st century careers.

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