Multi-Media Design

Our Multi media design component focused on culturally situated design tools, video production, and presentation skills development. Students took pictures of institute and activities, produced articles, and created a program
newsletter.

Culturally Situated Design Tools or Ethnomathematics

Demonstrated the real world connections between math, symbols, cultural locations, and activities around the world. Using a web based environment and cultural design tools students learned about historical places and the math concept that is associated with that region, people and society.

Video Production

The students decided that their video would document the summer INTY program and the activities that they were part of. Small groups were given 35 mm cameras or a video camera unit and documented activities that they were given permission to document. The students and staff created a one-minute promo, a ten-minute video INTY documentary, and a Quicktime slide program.

Radio Frequency ID Chips

The students discussed how they made the aircraft and assembled the wings, tail, and rudder using a hard cardboard material. Students attached the RF chips to the propeller engines and then to the aircraft that they created. They learned how to use remote control devices to control the movements of the aircraft during flight. They also learned about the uses of radio frequency chips, and actually flew their aircraft around the circle. They related this work to the current events of the “Drone Warfare”, they saw during the war in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Environmental Justice

Students from the INTY Summer Workshop worked in partnership with Albany’s Summer Youth Employment Program, and Environmental Awareness Network (EANDC) to learn about environmental justice, water quality, fishery, and tree replanting. The closing ceremony was highlighted by the replanting of two freshly harvested White Pine trees that were provided by the Catskill Mountain Outdoor Training Institute of Green County, which students helped to select, unearth and replant at the College of Nanoscale.

Nanoscale Open House Ceremonies

The tree replanting event was a major part of our “open house” ceremonies on July 31, 2009. INTY planted the first set of trees sponsored by students in the capital district at CNSE. The students invited parents and friends to see program presentations about their work in Nanoscale research and invited Dr. Chadwin Young, SemaTech, Inc. to serve as our keynote speaker. Dr. Young spoke about the importance of programs like INTY in preparing youth for science and technologies of the future.

Microsoft IT Training

The last two weeks of INTY the students from Albany and Troy NY went to the Microsoft IT academy at the Albany EOC/ATTAIN Lab to learn Microsoft Word 2008 and to prepare for the certification test. The UCAWD provided a twoweek intensive course for our students to become proficient in the use of Microsoft Word and be certified. The Microsoft IT academy is a State-wide UCAWD initiative and our students were invited to participate because of our partnership in INTY

Character Education

The character education component addressed self-control, team building, guest speakers for lunch, mentoring, and our “Rites of Passage” activities. The “Rites of Passage” model (Macedonia Initiatives in Community Development (MICD)), utilized the seven principles of “Kwanzaa called the Nguzo Saba”. Nguzo Saba requires that students define their common interests and make decisions that are in the best interest of the family and community through group discussions, handout responses, and student presentations. Our guest speakers were culturally diverse in business, state, and the community (Price Chopper, Office of Technology, Office of Children and Family Services, Verizon, and Environmental justice/education), provided role models, and career exploration opportunities.

Game Design

T1st PP introduced students to the elements of game design, evaluation, and programming. All of the students enjoyed playing games on computers, PS3/ Xbox, Nintendo, and cell phone devices. Students were exposed to graphic design and various forms of game concepts.

The Black Book Project

The group “Ten 27” introduced students to the science of music and astronomy. TEN 27 is not your typical jazz group by any standard. The instrumentation alone sets this gritty trio from the commonly heard jazz music of today. Reaching from the farthest limits of outer space they presented a multimedia show. It combined original jazz with spectacular images of the cosmos. These images were from the Hubble Space telescope. Featured artists included: Electric Cello, Electric Bass (Monbnica Roach), Keyboards/ Piano (Michael Roach), and Mallet-kat/Drums (Paul Borrello).

INTY Nano Career Day workshop

On December 5, 2009, we held our third Nano Career Day workshop with sixteen new students from Albany and Troy school districts. We had one returning student. This workshop was designed to introduce students to Nanoscale careers. The day was a recruitment tool to attract future students and parents to the institute.

Distance Learning CNSE/UCAWD

On December 21, 2009, we held our first on-line distance learning Introduction to Nanoscale Science and careers class, with the University Center for Academic and Workforce Development, Educational Opportunity Centers in Albany, Troy, and Brooklyn, New York. We had over thirty EOC adult learners and ten INTY students attend the event.

Technology Awards Program

The “Technology Awards Program” provides technology tools to students, parents, and organizations across the country; these tools have included: computers; calculators; network resource tools; software; publications; books, and course/curriculum materials. Working with businesses, state agencies, universities, and community based agencies, we have provided students and parents with computer systems, sent hundreds of books overseas, created web based content material to promote community based organizations, and provided technical assistance for grant writing and technology development. This year we provided 22 student with a home computer system to supplement their INTY and Microsoft IT Academy experiences. The supporting school districts and Questar BOCES provided software resources for each student.

INTY Entrepreneurship

As part of the Nanoeconomics and multi media design components, students created an INTY logo design that is being used on tee/polo shirts, business cards, and calendars. They also discussed new ways of using nanoscale products for business and development. These resources will be used for future recruitment campaigns, program marketing, and demonstration of student entrepreneurship concepts.

Youth Employment Program

Working with Albany, Schenectady, and Troy New York, and their summer
youth enrichment program offices, we were able to provide employment
opportunities for all program students. Each student was compensated
for twenty – thirty hours each week for working with INTY for six weeks.
This provided an added incentive for the students and assisted in
keeping student attendance at a high level. We were concerned that
these resources would compromise the main mission of the program:
Learning about STEM opportunities for employment and college
opportunities in the future. All of our past programs, which were voluntary,
and focused on student’s desire to acquire knowledge and learning in a nonthreatening
educational learning environment. Students, district
administration, and city officials have requested that we continue this
collaboration for student summer employment in the future.