The College of Engineering & Computing Sciences reintroduced its Middle School Makers Academy this past August. This marks the first in-person attendance for the academy since the pandemic!

The Middle School Makers Academy is a weeklong academy held simultaneously on both the two New York campuses; with 15 students per campus. Its purpose is to engage 10-13-year-old students in hands-on workshops designed to teach 3-D modeling and printing, laser cutting/engraving, Arduino programming, and virtual and augmented reality. The objective was to assemble a vehicle using all the information acquired throughout the week while connecting with the UN’S Sustainability Goal #7: Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all.

The inclusion of a UN Sustainability goal has always been part of the Summer Makers Academy’s objective. Younger generations are choosing to value and prioritize concerns surrounding climate change. The program connects the innovation of STEM with real world resolutions. Teaching students how to assemble a vehicle without use of fossil fuels provides a real-life example of how STEM can contribute positively to a more sustainable future.

This Academy is dually supported by the College of Art & Design and the College of Engineering & Computing Sciences. This program is part of New York Tech’s commitment to diversifying STEM leadership and is made possible by the generous support of Voya Foundation.

On the Long Island campus, the instructors were Lab Engineer David Fanning and Graduate Advisor Christopher Springston. They were supported by New York Tech students Bhavisha Shaileshkumar Patel, Mohamed Azmal Zaheer, and Mohammed Hossain.

The New York City instructors were Adjunct Professor Louie Aragon and Assistant Professor Sung Park. They were supported by New York Tech students Sri Varshini Priya Bitla, Helly Jayprakash Patel, and Aisha Khan.

“This successful Academy is an important component of the larger strategy of the College of Engineering and Computing Sciences at New York Tech to be an agent of change in the New York Metropolitan area in broadening participation of underrepresented groups in STEM fields through awareness and empowerment by hands-on and experiential learning. We are proud that this Academy, funded by Voya Foundation, has been received so positively by the community,” said Babak D. Beheshti, Ph.D., Dean of the College.

“What a fun-filled, hands-on, exciting week of activities,” recalled Fanning. “It was wonderful to see the students designing, coding and building. This year students were challenged with building a self-driving, energy efficient vehicle and they certainly rose to the occasion. The program jump started with students advancing their virtual drafting skills for 3D printing and laser cutting parts. They also created a future concept car that could be built if they had more than just one week to work on them. As we moved into the final build phase and testing the comprehensive wiring of the car and final adjustment of the sensors to make the car drive properly did prove to be a bit of an obstacle, but with the help of the instructors and coaches our teams were successful! Great job to all!”

Aragon is an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Digital Art & Design at New York Tech. He remarked on how well-received the program was, stating, “The program was a great introduction to STEAM for middle schoolers. Students enjoyed the hands-on experience of building the robot car and the team aspect.”

“This program was a success not because the students were able to complete their projects, but because of what they gained from it along the way,” said Springston. “The students learned new skills and programs related to science and engineering, while also making new friends along the way. I hope that this experience will stick with them as they grow up, and steer them towards a career they otherwise may not have considered before.”

The program concluded with group presentations recapping the week and a live demonstration of the vehicles the students had assembled. Parents were invited to attend the presentations in-person and via Zoom. Three student birthdays were celebrated that day, too!

Overall, the students and parents were appreciative of the opportunity. We were offered some suggestions to enhance the program such as inviting guest speakers, rearranging the format of teaching for some demos, and believe it or not– extending the program. All notes have been taken into consideration.

One parent shared, “The faculty and teaching assistants were patient and friendly to the students. My son’s teaching assistant… worked closely with students every day and helped them to finish tasks. He had so much fun while learning new and interesting things throughout the week!”

8th grader Nusiba from the Long Island campus said, “It’s kind of sad it’s already over. Maybe I’ll join again next year!”

Thank you to all our 2022 participants, coaches, supporting faculty and staff, and VOYA Foundation for a successful program!