New York Institute of Technology

During a recent elementary school visit to the New York Institute of Technology Entrepreneurship and Technology Innovation Center (ETIC), seven New York Tech students helped children to become computer scientists and engineers for a day. The NYIT College of Engineering and Computing Sciences students joined Michael Nizich, Ph.D., ETIC director, in leading fifth-graders from Idle Hour Elementary School (Oakdale, N.Y.) in hands-on STEM activities that introduced them to emerging technologies and strategic problem-solving. The college students helped children draw up ideas to meet United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and then assisted the fifth-graders in prototyping their concepts using pipe cleaners, Legos, and erector sets. New York Tech students also demonstrated and helped the children to experiment with technology such as robotics, mixed reality, computer-aided design (CAD), 3D printing, video game design, and computer simulations. The children also learned about potential careers in engineering fields, including Mechanical Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Computer Science and Cybersecurity.

Three New York Tech students have been recognized by the New York City Mayor's office for completing over 100 hours of volunteer service during the last year. Now in its second year, the Mayoral Service Recognition Awards program seeks to highlight exceptional volunteer projects in New York City.

Leading up to the Thanksgiving holiday, on November 26, five New York Institute of Technology students participated in FeedingNYC. The students met at Chelsea Piers at 5 a.m. for the annual initiative, which has prepared and delivered more than 70,000 boxes of food to families over the past 17 years.

On October 26, New York Insititute of Technology students volunteered at Long Island's first accessible haunted house, providing children with special needs a fun and inclusive Halloween treat. Hosted by NYIT School of Health Professions, the wheelchair accessible haunted house was set on a single floor in Anna Rubin Hall on the Long Island campus. The attraction was a welcoming and festive experience for families affected by autism spectrum disorder (ASD), Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and other disabilities. Volunteers led families through each room, which were divided into three scare levels: Minimum Scare, Maximum Scare, and No Scare. Several of the elements traditionally found in Halloween attractions were omitted, including flash and strobe light displays and physical contact from actors, to prevent unnecessary distress among the children. Parents had the opportunity to evaluate the haunted house and its rooms to ensure the experience was right for their child. Children were encouraged to explore their creative side and got "crafty" at a pumpkin painting station. The fun-filled event supported Inclusive Sports and Fitness, Inc. (ISF), a 501 (3) (c) nonprofit organization that provides health promotion and wellness activities, sports instruction, and physical fitness training for children and adults with different abilities.

For 10 days in July, 12 students in NYIT School of Health Professions traveled to Greece on a medical outreach program to work with refugees.

More than 20 New York Institute of Technology students helped the Girls Scouts of Nassau County learn about robotics, computer science, bioengineering, biochemistry and life sciences, 3-D printing, virtual reality, mechanical engineering, and more at the recent "Introduce a Girl to Engineering" event held on the NYIT-Long Island campus.

Matthew Kolkhorst is about to launch his NYIT men's tennis career, but before he hits the court at NYIT, he made another impressive debut: as a ball person at the U.S. Open.

More than a dozen NYIT students shared their short films or volunteered at the 4th Lunar New Year Chinese Folk Art and Culture Festival, in Queens.