CNY STEM Hub, PEB, AT&T, ERIE21 at Le Moyne College partner to offer CNY teens a free “gripping” experience at AT&T Hand in Hand
Syracuse, NY –Central New York students entering grades 9 through 12 in the fall are invited to apply to participate in AT&T Hand in Hand, a free summer science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics (STEAM) and digital literacy enrichment program for underrepresented students from July 19th-30th on the Le Moyne College campus, in which they will work in teams to design and fabricate prosthetic hands using 3D printers and other tech tools. The fully operational prosthetic hands will be donated to Central New Youth youths, under resourced residents and seniors missing a hand at birth or as the result of illness or trauma. Newly designed prosthetic hands will also be sent to youths in need in Ghana. AT&T Hand in Hand will also provide participating students firsthand experience of how technology can be used for social good and offer students unique digital literacy skills.
In this STEAM-based and digital literacy experience being offered by AT&T, CNY STEM Hub and Partners For Education & Business Inc. (PEB), students will employ basic anatomy knowledge, open source technology and 3D printing skills in team and leadership-building exercises that will introduce them to elements of potential careers in medical technology, engineering, computer coding and advanced fabrication. Other community partners include ERIE21 and the Keenan Center at Le Moyne College, Syracuse Prosthetics and Orthotics, CADimensions and MACNY.
AT&T Hand in Hand is scheduled daily from 9 am to 4pm Monday, July 19 through Friday, July 30 on the LeMoyne College campus. The project is limited to 40 local students who will enter grades 9 through 12 this fall. The prosthetics will be designed, prototyped, and tested during the program before the final prosthetics are produced by a commercial 3D printing company and presented to recipients in early fall. AT&T Hand in Hand is dedicated to inclusion and diversity and to eliminate economic barriers the program is free, and breakfast and lunch will be served daily. Public transportation is available upon request.
To register, local students and their parents must visit https://cnystem.com/events/ and click on the link AT&T Hand in Hand program under Events on the homepage. Program registration is open to public high school students from all districts across the greater Syracuse region. All interested students must submit a short essay on why they want to take part in the program and their interest in the program and STEM. The deadline to apply for the program is June 28, 2021.
Any CNY youth, senior or under resourced adult resident interested in volunteering to take part in the program as a recipient of a newly designed prosthetic hand for free, please contact Joe Vargo at joev@macny.org. Time requirement for a recipient participant consists of a few hours one day during the week of July 19th to meet with students and staff to be measured and discuss design and functionality needs.
The summer education program will strictly follow all safety guidelines set by the county, state, CDC, and LeMoyne College. For a list of all safety measures that will be adhered to during the program, please visit the registration page.
“AT&T is proud to collaborate with CNY STEM Hub and PEB again 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,” said Kevin Hanna, director, External Affairs, AT&T. “As the world’s economy transforms at a robust pace — requiring a workforce with a focus on technological education and digital literacy — STEM and STEAM programs like this one that provide immersive learning environments 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 unique 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 3D printers to create free hand and arm prosthetics for individuals in need of upper limb assistive devices. The community collaborates on ways to help improve the open-source 3D 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 just want to make a difference and help to “Give the World a Helping Hand.”
AT&T’s partnership with CNY STEM Hub and PEB in this project is part of the company’s legacy of supporting educational programs focused on digital literacy and STEM disciplines in New York through AT&T Aspire, the company’s signature $600 million philanthropic initiative that leverages technology and social innovation to help give people – regardless of age, gender, race, or socioeconomic status – the opportunity to succeed. Aspire is one of the nation’s largest corporate commitments focused on advancing education, creating opportunities, strengthening communities, and improving lives, particularly amongst historically underserved populations, by creating new learning environments and educational delivery systems that promotes racially equity in academic and economic achievement.
“We thank AT&T for their continued commitment to STEM education in providing the resources and the collaborative efforts of Partners for Education & Business in spearheading this summer experience for students in Central New York high schools who are interested in preparing for future STEM careers,” said Dr. Donna DeSiato, CNY STEM Hub, chairperson.
“PEB is honored to be working with AT&T and the CNY STEM Hub to use our networks to bring together students from urban, suburban and rural schools who are interested in learning more about STEM education and careers, said Joe Vargo, Director of Special Programs at PEB. “This innovative program will not only offer them STEM experiences but will provide opportunities to interact with professionals from tech and healthcare companies to help create career sparks in STEM for the participants.”
Programs like AT&T Hand and Hand are vital for the youth because, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Labor, much of the growth in the domestic and global economy will come from STEM-related jobs, a highly lucrative and competitive field. It is estimated that by 2025 there 3.5 million STEM related jobs in the U.S., underscoring the importance of providing the youth the tools and skills necessary to compete in this innovation economy
