During a multi-day simulation, students will join SAVE (Scholars Acting Valiantly in Emergencies) and work together to help citizens impacted by a recent natural disaster. The simulation will provide them with the opportunity to take on career-focused roles, hone key problem-solving skills, and gain exposure to the real-world application of STEM disciplines.
Students will explore three content areas:
- Medical Care: Students will learn all about the brain, its functions, and how it can be harmed. They will also learn how to define, diagnose, and assess a medical concussion. Afterwards, they will complete a sheep brain dissection, and use those learnings to identify symptoms of different types of brain injuries.
- Urban Rescue: Students will learn about the Design Thinking Process and the engineering principles behind building safe structures. Applying what they have learned, they will construct and test their own builds on an earthquake shake table. Students will also build and program a robot to search for missing or injured people.
- Green Power: Students will learn how to convert energy from kinetic to electrical and then measure the power generated. Using this information, they will design and test their own windmills to determine how to best harness the power of the wind. This increased understanding of green power will allow the students to address problems created by the natural disaster.
Through these experiences, students will also learn valuable project and time management skills and enhance their critical reasoning and analytical abilities.
Maker Center Challenges
Students will expand their understanding of STEM through hands-on challenges designed to promote friendly competition and increased exposure to career pathways.
Previous challenges have included:
- Building Boats: Students will build a motor boat prototype that will contribute to the rescue efforts of the people who were affected by the natural disaster.
- Constructing Catapults: Students will develop creative ideas and methods to transport medical supplies from one location to another, without having power and vehicles.
- Designing Circuits: Students will learn about circuitry and alternative methods to create energy while designing and creating paper circuits.
Students will head off-campus for hands-on learning through interactive exhibits, labs, and workshops that will put their STEM skills to the test and allow them to experience their host city. Actual sites vary by location but will either be a local museum or science center.
Residential and Day Programs
Each NYLF Pathways to STEM Alumni location has a residential and day option.
The Residential Program option is a six-day experience that also includes overnight accommodations and all meals. Students in the Residential Program option will reside with other students and Envision team members at safe and secure locations that include universities and conference centers. Rooming assignments will be determined by date of birth, and there is a chance that NYLF Pathways to STEM Alumni students may room with NYLF Pathways to STEM students.
The Day Program option is a five-day, hands-on experience that includes lunch. Students who choose the Day Program option will experience the same hands-on and curricular activities as the Residential Program and will be dropped off and picked up at specified times and locations by a parent or guardian.