STUDENT SPOTLIGHTS

INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY

SEU’s IDEA Lab: A Hub of Creativity

Picture this: You’re fully submerged in the ocean, swimming freely among schools of fish, bales of sea turtles and pods of dolphins. There is a quiet, cool stillness to the water. Until a patch of sand is suddenly disturbed in the distance and from its murky debris comes a great white shark. Within seconds, the shark begins accelerating in your direction. There is no way you can outswim it but, just before it bites, you remove your virtual reality goggles and are once again standing in SEU’s new IDEA Lab in Mahoney Library.

These types of immersive, realistic and educational simulations are now available at Saint Elizabeth University. Funded in part by the National Science Foundation S-STEM Grant, SEU’s IDEA Lab is designed to use technology as an extension of the classroom.

“Students can not only utilize virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) but create it,” says Jeffrey Gutkin, director of information technology. “Our AR station will allow students to digitize and scan their movements to make video games, and our VR technology benefits both the sciences and the humanities.”

In addition to VR and AR, the University also purchased 3D printers and scanners to give students access to cutting-edge technology. Students can 3D print anatomical models to better understand the body, design architectural prototypes and physically produce materials to aid classroom instruction.

“In 2005, no one had a concept of smartphones. Now they are how we track our fitness, order our food and facilitate communication,” says Alexander Kareev, instructional technology and media support specialist. “These technologies will be on the same level. They will become supplemental to everyday life, and we want our students to be prepared.” On a beautiful sunny day, you and your friends decide to study outside. Barely an hour into your study session, you receive that dreaded alert: “Low Battery, 20% remaining.” Instead of having to pack up your books and head inside for a charge, Joshua “Josh” Gonzalez, ‘22, developed the perfect solution.

He conceptualized, designed and built a solar-powered picnic table capable of harnessing energy from the sun to charge electronic devices and a pair of external overhead lights.

“The solar-powered table provides students with an eco-friendly electricity source for their devices,” explains Josh. “The lights also let students continue studying outdoors even after the sun has gone down.”

Developed to satisfy his capstone project for the honors program, Josh’s table required the integration of both his theoretical knowledge and practical skills. When beginning this project, he spent hours constructing 3D models of the table before purchasing the supplies necessary to make it functional. As a double major in computer software engineering and mathematics with a keen interest in environmental sustainability, Josh was more than well-prepared to handle this project. He had already successfully petitioned the University to switch from plastic to biodegradable straws and is always advocating for improvements to recycling.

Josh’s determination to succeed stems from his family. At the age of 8, his father came to the United States from Cuba without any knowledge of the language. Despite hardships, Josh’s father was able to develop a successful career and inspire his children to go to college. Now, Josh plans to use his education to make the world a better place.

READY FOR USE IN THE IDEA LAB

Prusa Mini and Prusa i3 MK3S+ 3D Printers Oculus Quest 2 VR Headsets Revopoint POP 3D Scanner with Turntable 0.3mm Kinect v2 and motion capture software Raspberry pi and NVIDIA Jetson Nano Amazon Echo Emotive Epoc+, EEG Headset

Harnessing the Power of the Sun

WELCOMING ALUMNI HOME

Reunion weekend at Saint Elizabeth University has always been about reconnecting. However, after missing an in-person event last year due to COVID-19 restrictions, reconnecting took on an entirely new meaning. Sharing hugs, seeing smiles and physically being together after so long apart truly felt like a homecoming.

Alumni from Saint E are different than those from any other institution of higher learning. They don’t see their peers as classmates; they see each other as family and SEU as their home. For generations, we have welcomed our alumni back to campus and lauded their ability to embody SEU’s mission in both their personal and professional lives.

As Dr. Crosby said in recognition of their accomplishments, “SEU alumni are armed with the education, skills and resources necessary to help support their local communities, regions and the world.”

We loved having you back on campus!

Are you a graduate of Saint Elizabeth University? Do you have an interesting story to share about yourself or another alumna/us? If so, send an email to news@steu.edu with the nominee’s name, contact information and a brief explanation of their story.