2019-11-03: STEAM on Spectrum at VMASC
The second annual STEAM on Spectrum event was held at the Old Dominion University (ODU) Virginia Modeling Analysis & Simulation Center (VMASC) in Suffolk, VA on October 12, 2019.
All of my students (@NirdsLab) are at @vmasc_odu for the "STEAM on Spectrum 2019" #inclusive event for Autistic kids. Nearly 200 participants and 50+ volunteers. @WebSciDL @oducs @ODUSCI @sheissheba @DynamicMelody1 @LalitaSharkey @yasithmilinda @Gavindya2 @mahanama94 pic.twitter.com/f131qYGjkA— Sampath Jayarathna (@OpenMaze) October 12, 2019
In support of the event, Dr. Sampath Jayarantha (@OpenMaze), and multiple WS-DL PhD students volunteered to organize an eye tracking exhibit.It is a beautiful day @vmasc_odu with a great turnout for today’s STEAM on Spectrum 2019 event. @NirdsLab @WebSciDL @oducs @ODUSCI @OpenMaze @DynamicMelody1 @LalitaSharkey @yasithmilinda @Gavindya2 @mahanama94 pic.twitter.com/1DsTqeveJi— Bathsheba Farrow (@sheissheba) October 12, 2019
The exhibit featured various eye tracking devices, and eye target games. Once participants understood how the eye trackers worked and realized that there was no need to keep moving their heads, children and their parents took on the challenge of hitting various targets with just their eyes. Some families even started competitions among themselves, with children and parents trying earn the day's highest score.All of my students (@NirdsLab) are at @vmasc_odu for the "STEAM on Spectrum 2019" #inclusive event for Autistic kids. Nearly 200 participants and 50+ volunteers. @WebSciDL @oducs @ODUSCI @sheissheba @DynamicMelody1 @LalitaSharkey @yasithmilinda @Gavindya2 @mahanama94 pic.twitter.com/f131qYGjkA— Sampath Jayarathna (@OpenMaze) October 12, 2019
There were several other interactive and hands-on experiences including interactive games, flight and driving simulators, robots, and an activity that converted colors to music.
Event organizers not only ensured that there were fun activities for the children, but also provided them with a goodie bags that included STEAM related toys. Volunteers and participants of the event were also treated to lunch.Participants in today’s STEAM on Spectrum 2019 event can experience more than just eye tracking technologies @vmasc_odu. @NirdsLab @WebSciDL @oducs @ODUSCI @OpenMaze @DynamicMelody1 @LalitaSharkey @yasithmilinda @Gavindya2 @mahanama94 pic.twitter.com/77dTYC6P8z— Bathsheba Farrow (@sheissheba) October 12, 2019
The event was well organized and attended, and I expect it to be even better next year. I am glad to have had an opportunity to support the event with others from @WebSciDL and hope to see more volunteers and attendees next year.ODU CS grad students help children beat the eye tracking game’s highest score, open STEAM on Spectrum 2019 event gifts and themselves to lunch @vmasc_odu. @NirdsLab @WebSciDL @oducs @ODUSCI @OpenMaze @DynamicMelody1 @LalitaSharkey @yasithmilinda @Gavindya2 @mahanama94 pic.twitter.com/9OcXAH2lDZ— Bathsheba Farrow (@sheissheba) October 12, 2019
--Bathsheba Farrow (@sheissheba)
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