Groups from the Bayport/Blue Point School District’s Gifted Students Program were “scientists for a day” at recent visits to campus.

Their hands-on learning experiences gave them new and fun ways to learn about science. The group visits were arranged through Ellen Vlachos of the Gifted and Talented Program from Bayport-Blue Point School District, and the Stony Brook University Office of Government and Community Relations.

Students had a real hand-on experience in Professor Hanson’s geosciences lab.

On April 24, 2017, a group of fourth graders led by Director Dave Ecker and Stony Brook students, were given tours of iCreate Lab and the resources available to inspire creativity and new ways to solve problems, including 3D printers, silk screening for t-shirts and a large selection of tools working in the lab gave tours

Then on Friday, April 28, 2017, a group of fifth graders discovered their own DNA in a lab experience managed by Stony Brook student Mirna Kheir and others members of the Biomedical Engineering Honor Society, Alpha Eta Mu Beta, led by Faculty Advisor Dr. M. Ete Chan.

The groups explored ways that water can impact the environment by  moving sand in a water table in Professor Gil Hanson’s Geosciences lab.

Read more: http://www.stonybrook.edu/happenings/oncampus/elementary-school-students-enjoy-campus-lab-tour/

On Tuesday, November 21, 2017 from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm in the Student Activities Center (SAC) Ballroom B, a “Dance for Puerto Rico” fundraiser was held.

Daniel Rodriguez, a transfer student,  approached the Office of the Dean of Students with the idea for a Salsa dance fundraiser where the proceeds would go to help the thousands of people suffering in the wake of weather disasters in Puerto Rico.

Participants learn how to dance Salsa. 

In conjunction with the Hispanic Languages and Literature Departments​, and the assistance of Professor Aurelie Vialette in particular,  ​t​he event was a complete success.

Over 30 participants raised $600 dollars which was donated to Puerto Rico via Casa Pueblo: http://casapueblo.org. This organization is working to energize homes in Puerto Rico.

For more information on other Stony Brook related Disaster Relief efforts visit: http://www.stonybrook.edu/commcms/disaster-relief/

Stony Brook University School of Medicine student David Elkin brought MagicAid , a program he founded 10 years ago, to Stony Brook’s Children Hospital.

The program’s mission is to relieve patients from some of their health worries by showing  and teaching them magic.

SB MagicAid Team 

Weekly, or when his rotation schedule permits, David volunteers his time and can be found on the Pediatric units of the hospital, providing magic therapy and putting huge smiles on Stony Brook’s youngest patients.

“Magic can make the impossible to become possible,” said Elkin. “Providing magic therapy to children helps suspend their disbelief, and provides them with hope. Magic can help them believe that they can get through whatever medical challenge they are going through at the time.”

David has enlisted several fellow medical students to follow in his footsteps. MagicAid has taken off, and now there are nearly 50 “magic therapists” working with Stony Brook Children’s Hospital.

Read more: http://sb.cc.stonybrook.edu/news/medical/2017-02-13-med-student-brings-magic-to-patients.php