Long Island State Veterans Home (LISVH), located on the campus of Stony Brook University,  is one of only a few nursing homes in the country that are fully integrated into the health and educational mission of a major teaching and research university.

Use of virtual reality headsets is the latest technology-driven therapeutic initiative put into action by the facility as a means to advance veterans’ well-being and quality of life.

World War II veteran Ed Kiernan, left, and Vietnam veteran Anthony Zaccarello

The therapeutic use of virtual technology can have a variety of benefits depending on who is using the system and what scenarios are chosen. A familiar hobby or location might be used for a resident with dementia, while a resident with PTSD might choose to walk on the beach.

“I put these goggles on and I got to have the whole experience, from walking into the gate to helping the crew work on the car to riding in the car,” said Anderson, 72, who served in the Army’s Special Forces. “I’m a big NASCAR fan and raced stock cars when I was younger, so this [setting] was something I thought I would relate to and enjoy the most.”

Thanks to financial support from the Bowlers to Veterans Link charitable foundation, the LISVH is the first state veterans home in the country to offer virtual reality experiences to residents.

Read more: https://news.stonybrook.edu/sb_medicine/virtual-reality-tool-serves-as-therapy-for-stony-brook-vets-home/

On Friday, October 19, 2018, twelve high school students and their chaperones from the Boys and Girls Club of the Bellport Area came to campus to learn about Stony Brook and experience college life.

The students are sophomores, juniors, and seniors from Bellport High School.

Students made photo frames in the iCREATE Lab.

Students were welcomed by the Admissions Office for a college introduction session.  The group visited various areas of the campus including the Irving College residence hall, The Walter J. Hawrys Campus Recreation Center, Student Activities Center, and Frank Melville Jr. Library. They also had the opportunity to engage with innovative and creative technology in the iCREATE Lab.

“I believe it’s important for high school students to be exposed to different colleges and universities, many students don’t ever get a chance to go on an actual college visit. It exposes them to the realities of college life. That way once they are there they aren’t caught off guard,” said Ana Arias, Director of Teen Services & Youth Development at the Boys and Girls Club.

“My favorite part was seeing all the different clubs that were available to the students. We got to go to Stony Brook on Homecoming weekend and there was so much going on. I loved seeing all the possibilities available to me,” said Jasmine Lagala, senior at Bellport High School.

The visit was coordinated by the Government and Community Relations Office, Admissions Office, and the Boys and Girls Club of the Bellport Area.

Read more: https://news.stonybrook.edu/oncampus/boys-and-girls-club-of-the-bellport-area-visits-campus/

More than a dozen students from the Port Jefferson Elementary School Fif^th Grade Art Club visited Stony Brook University on January 31 to experience the Double Portrait exhibit and participate in hands-on art activities.

The visit was part of the Art2Go program, an education initiative created by Paul W. Zuccaire GalleryDirector and Curator Karen Levitov.

Students participating in an art activity

Splitting into two groups and led by a facilitator, children engaged with the artwork through discussion and participation in fun and creative activities.

“The children get a chance to look at art done by professionals and that helps to inspire their own art projects,” said Karen. “This opportunity and partnership is important because it achieves our goal of community outreach and expanding involvement in art.”

The Double Portrait exhibit, created by artist couple Nancy Friedman-Sanchez and Charley Friedman, features an egg-garden wall, a large flower painting, and other diverse and exciting artworks.

Read more: https://news.stonybrook.edu/arts/art2go-program-visits-double-portrait-exhibit-at-zuccaire-gallery/