|
 LTS
Connects with STAR Academy Middle School Students
Library and Technology Services recently enjoyed the
opportunity to work collaboratively with the S.T.A.R.
Academy by presenting on Social Media, Internet Safety and
Virtual Reality to middle school students.
The ‘S.T.A.R.’ of the S.T.A.R. Academy is an acronym for
“Students That Are Ready,” founded by Dr. Henri Odi and Mrs.
Curtissa Odi in 1989. S.T.A.R. is an early intervention
program that strives to enhance the academic performance of
economically and academically disadvantaged students in
grades 6-12. The students in the Academy meet all day
approximately every other Saturday during the academic year.
Dr. Odi invited LTS to present on various technology topics
to the S.T.A.R. Academy middle students on January 22, 2011.
Blair Bernhardt, Johanna Brams, and Tina Hertel, along with
a panel of Lehigh students who work in the International
Multimedia Resource Center (IMRC), volunteered to speak.
Tina Hertel, Help Desk and Web Support Librarian, started
off the program with a presentation on Social Media Use and
Internet Etiquette. The middle school students enjoyed
participating in an online poll by texting responses from
their cell phones. Students were asked what, if any, social
media they currently use. Even though many of the students
were under the age of 13, nearly all had a Facebook account.
With students using online services for pictures, video,
music, and other multimedia information, Blair Bernhardt’s
presentation on Internet security and copyright Issues was
certainly an important topic. Blair asked the students where
they ‘got ‘ most of their music, and while many were using
legitimate sites, most were surprised to learn that they may
be using sites that are not legitimate or even legal.
Bernhardt also provided information on how to be safe on the
Internet.
Johanna Brams followed with an overview of Virtual Reality.
The students enjoyed using 3-D glasses to look at pictures
and videos as Johanna took them on a history tour of virtual
reality. Some virtual reality projects at Lehigh were
described, such as Second Life.
The panel of Lehigh students, who work in the International
Multimedia Resource Center (IMRC), talked about
their majors and some of the projects they have worked on.
The panel included Rachel Dashnaw, Dan Finnie, Greg Jakes,
Dalisbeth Galvez, Trevor Yee, and Vanessa Martins. S.T.A.R.
Academy students demonstrated particular interest in
the student panel, with many questions about how Lehigh
students became interested in their majors and what they
studied in high school.
Students rated the program very highly. Dr. Odi concluded,
“The Academy continues to offer unique and important
educational experiences to these students and their families
that are not provided any place else.”
Article posted March,
2011
Return to
Newsletter
|
|
