Area students join SUNY Fredonia faculty, students and staff for a group photo taken at the conclusion of the Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math summer camp that is held each summer as part of the Liberty Partnerships program.
Introductions to drones, movie editing, virtual reality and geology highlighted a Computer and Information Sciences tour taken by area students.
STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) faculty and staff guided over 20 middle and high school students from three area school districts at the Computer Science and Information Science camp through the Liberty Partnerships program.
“We had a very successful camp; the students learned about a lot of different skills,” said Adjunct Lecturer Greg Cole of the Department of Computer and Information Sciences. “For many students, this was their first time on campus.”
We heard many comments from students about how excited they were for the opportunity to experience virtual reality and to see a drone demonstration, and they also said how fun the game was.” - Dr. T. John McCune
Individual sessions in the camp, held Aug. 4 to 6, were led by Adjunct Lecturer Derrik Decker, who is also the program’s project director; Mr. Cole; Professor Ted Sharon of the Department of Theatre and Dance; Associate Professor Thomas Hegna of the Department of Geology and Environmental Sciences; Dr. T. John McCune, who is director of Academic Technology and Innovation; and emerging technology specialists Daniel LaGrow and Christopher Taverna, both of Information Technology Services.
“One of the girls, from Silver Creek, had a side meeting with SUNY Fredonia President Stephen H. Kolison Jr. She was very interested in attending here and talked to the president about forestry,” Cole explained.
That student could not have found a better forestry resource. Dr. Kolison has a Ph.D. in Forest Economics, a M.S. in Forestry Economics and Marketing and a B.S. in General Forestry. He’s also done extensive work in forestry research and programming in higher education.
Each of the camp’s three days had its own theme: geology and environmental sciences; movie editing; and virtual reality.
Students discovered cutting-edge virtual reality equipment from the Innovation Lab and immersed themselves in a truly interactive experience. They also learned how to download pictures and videos and create video clips.
Students were also able to take a breathtaking panoramic drone experience, soaring 440 feet above the campus, to see the world from a new perspective. The Innovation Lab provided an overview of drones and how to fly them, information on recreational certifications and rules, as well as demonstrations. How to create one's own virtual world was also introduced in hands-on experiences.
“We heard many comments from students about how excited they were for the opportunity to experience virtual reality and to see a drone demonstration, and they also said how fun the game was,” Dr. McCune noted.
Camp instructors were grateful for the unique opportunity to work with the students, commenting on how they were excited to see many of their students engaged and interested in the activities, he added.
Exploration of Point Gratiot and adjacent Dunkirk beach to learn about local geology was the focus of the field trip guided by Dr. Hegna.
“We looked at how the waves moved sediment, what the shale told us about past environments and what the glaciers did to the area during their last advance,” Hegna explained. Students looked for rocks, learned how to use rock hammers and waded in the water.
“Almost none of them had been to these beaches before, so it was an eye-opening experience for them,” Hegna noted.
Students also toured the campus had enjoyed lunch at the Cranston Marché dining hall.
“This is an opportunity to touch base with the students at the right age, when they’re starting to make decisions about their future,” Decker noted.
The camp is part of the Liberty Partnerships program that provides resources and support for students who face challenges that can prevent them from succeeding academically and personally. It has been held on the campus for more than 30 years.
Area students join SUNY Fredonia faculty, students and staff for a group photo taken at the conclusion of the Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math summer camp that is held each summer as part of the Liberty Partnerships program.
