YMWIC STEM LEADERSHIP SUMMER CAMP

An excited group of scholars spent their first week of camp immersed in STEM and leadership activities at

Lincoln University’s main campus for three days, Henderson High School, and the Franklin Institute. Students,

working collaboratively in teams, were instructed by Dr. John Chikwem, Professor of Microbiology and

Immunology, as they conducted experiments to determine if the antibody they used could destroy

microorganisms. Professor Uzoma James Chikwem, College of Science and Technology Professor, instructed

students in designing and creating apps and games. Scholars would create a game using Unity, a free software

application, during their second session. He shared the value of studying Computer Science, coding, math, and

the careers available. Working in the Biology Lab under Dr. Karen Baskerville’s direction, scholars dissected a

fetal pig and identified and removed its organs. That hands-on activity was followed by scholars dissecting a

sheep’s brain. It was amazing to see students working so well together in teams. They were also quite

knowledgeable prior to beginning each dissection. Scholars, in teams, also conducted an experiment using two

petri dishes marking a “Test” side and a “Control” side. Scholars selected and added two different chemicals to

the petri dishes to determine if the worms added to the sterile petri dishes were attracted to or repelled from a

particular substance. Looking under a microscope, scholars would count the number of worms as they swam to

the “Control” side or the “Test” side and then graph their results. During a leadership activity, scholars took an

online assessment to determine their leadership style. After discussing mentoring as an essential leadership skill

and other key leadership traits, scholars mentored the campers in the Elementary Math and Science Summer

Camp by helping them with their research projects. Their day ended with an enjoyable Tie Dye activity.

CSL Behring Presenting YMWIC with Employee Donation

Scholars in the laboratory at Lincoln University

Friday’s field trip to The Franklin Institute, sponsored by LaFrance Corporation, was a wonderful experience

for our scholars. Brett Damadio, one of the mentors who planned and coordinated all activities, paired each

scholar with a LaFrance employee. This was an excellent idea. Our scholars had a mentor for the day who

could explain the science and math behind every exhibit! We started at the Pixar Exhibit, which was

phenomenal and visited the other exhibits after lunch. Some of the more popular exhibits enjoyed by our

scholars were the Giant Heart, Electricity, Changing Earth, and the Brain. The Brain Exhibit was very timely

and reinforced everything learned earlier in the week with Dr. Baskerville, Neuroscientist at Lincoln University.

We owe a special thank you to our mentors Ian McCampbell, Tom Cirino, Lan-Ahn Larsen, Anna Cantini,

Vince Mirarchi, Dave Bettinger, Tova Freidenreich, Amanda Hershey, Sarah Skobeloff, Kin Kwong, Pat Rae,

Shaun Gormley, and YMWIC alum, Dekwuan Stokes.

Scholars take a break with Professor Chikwem Scholars at Pennoni Engineering Lab

Our final site visit was to the Pennoni Engineering Consultants lab in King of Prussia. Michael Hatem

excitedly explained to scholars and answered their questions about Seismic design, commercial construction

practices, building to meet design codes, and testing and increasing the strength of various building materials.

Thanks also to Dan DiMucci who assisted with the tour. It was an exceptional two-week period watching

scholars grow, learn, and develop.

Below are Neptune and Jupiter Scholars mentoring elementary students with their science projects. These elementary students presented their projects and posters to an audience of friends, relatives and peers.

Tahmia (Norristown Chapter) helping with science project

Brandon(West Chester Chapter) helping w/ Science)

Spencer (Coatesville Chapter) helping student

Joshua (Norristown Chapter) helping student

Scholars, Rick Roberts, and LaFrance employees in front of the Franklin Institute.

Ruben mentoring Samuel in the foreground to complete his science project.

Tajae and Wesley are also mentoring younger students.

Raisa, Nathaniel, Brandon, and Wesley having a little fun while prepping their

tee shirts for the Tie Dye Project.

During the second week of camp, scholars spent three days at Lincoln University completing experiments, the

game they created using Unity (free software they can download at home), and working in the Nursing

Simulation Lab at the NelsonV. Ivory Center for the Sciences. In that lab, students learned about and worked

with the very expensive “smart dummies.” The “patients” were men, women, children, infants, and expectant

mothers preparing to deliver. Scholars were able to work with the smart dummies by injecting them with a

saline solution using the better-designed, safe “retractable” needles. They breathe, make sounds, and have

pulses. Professor Sandy Holme shared statistics with the scholars during her presentation. “There are too

many preventable hospital deaths each year in the United States. Use of smart dummies may help improve

patient safety.” Following their hands-on activities in the Nursing Simulation Lab, scholars attended another

presentation and lunch at CSL Behring in King of Prussia, a global leader in the plasma protein biotherapeutics

industry researching, developing, manufacturing, and marketing biotherapies used to treat serious and rare

conditions. Touring a Plasma Donor Center in Northeast Philadelphia, scholars noticed retractable needles

being used—no chance of the healthcare professional accidentally getting a needle stick. So many topics

learned were often reinforced at another site. Presentations included careers in their organization and the

industry and the skills and education required. Special thanks to Raj Subramanyam and Dr. Inna Pendrak who

organized the event; Dr. Toby Simon, Dr. Laurel Omert, and Mary Anne Player who made presentations; Keith

Hayward who provided the tour of the Plasma Donor Center; and Carolyn Faure and Joyce Ercolino. Speaking

to the scholars, Dr. Pendrak stated, “We are very excited being able to work with you. We see you as our

future. Each quarter, employees donate to worthy charities, and we’re pleased to announce that YMWIC

Foundation has been selected as the recipient of this quarter’s donation amounting to $3,790!” Tanya Baxter,

Program Manager of the STEM Leadership Summer Camp, accepted the check and thanked them for their

continued support and generosity.