Visiting students get hands-on at Albany campus

SUNY Poly’s Albany campus and Colleges of Nanoscale Science and Engineering played host this February to forty students from the Capital District YMCA Black and Latino Achievers and Youth in Government programs, immersing the students in various nanotechnology experiments, presentations, and tours of the campus, all in an effort to both inspire as well as highlight the high tech opportunities available to them across New York State.

“SUNY Poly is proud to host students who are taking part in the important YMCA Black & Latino Achievers and Youth in Government programs to share the fascinating ideas behind nanotechnology developments that can lead to interest in a nanotechnology-based education and valuable, high-tech careers,” said SUNY Poly Interim President Dr. Bahgat Sammakia.

Members of the Energy and Environmental Technology Applications Center led an activities session where students got the chance to interact and experiment with photovoltaic panels that powered a series of small items and highlighted the important role solar energy plays in the world.

The visiting students not only received tours of the Albany campus, but also took part in a presentation where they learned how small a nanometer is, and how nanotechnology is put to use to create the many technologies used in our modern world, from smartphones to clean energy applications.

Those whose curiosity of the day may have led to further interest in SUNY Poly were given the chance to learn more, with discussions on what it takes to become a student at SUNY Poly, the many career opportunities that can be pursued in the field of nanotechnology, and the importance of representation of women and students of color in the STEM fields.

The Capital District YMCA Black & Latino Achievers program provides students from all backgrounds with the opportunity to raise their academic standards, graduate from high school, and pursue career goals through a focus on inspiring college and career exploration. The YMCA Youth in Government program empowers students to make a difference in the community through education, problem-solving experience, and a social arena so that future leaders can develop and make a positive impact.

“Being able to visit SUNY Poly and gain a first-hand experience with the exciting science behind many of the technologies we now use everyday is a wonderful way for these students to see that there is a world of opportunity available to them right here in their own backyard,” said Capital District YMCA Director of Youth Development Anzala B. Alozie. “We are thrilled we could partner with SUNY Poly so that our students could see that a wide range of high-tech careers are possible.”