IGNITE Winter 2018 | Page 16

LAUGHTER ENCOURAGED Even the most advanced gadgetry would struggle to hold an 8th grader’s attention for a full hour. The UIF mentors — who are in their early 20s — engage students by fostering a fun, welcoming atmosphere. Asked about the highlights of the program, every student interviewed for this story emphasized how much they enjoyed connecting with the mentorship team. “They’re close to our age and can relate to us,” says 8th grader Riley Mazzalupi. “Some of them are students, so they can provide helpful tips for studying or ways to use technology that will benefit you.” “We can have conversations with them and make jokes with them and they will understand,” adds 8th grader Danny Mendler. “The y are so funny and fun to be around.” This camaraderie has expanded beyond UIF sessions. One of the mentors, Coombs, participated in the school’s student vs. faculty basketball game during Catholic Schools week, helping lead the faculty team to victory. Elisio says this approachability allows students to see class topics in a new light. “The mentors laugh and keep a fun, light environment while also making sure all the students’ questions are heard and answered,” Elisio says. “I think that can be a hard balance to strike sometimes, but the UIF team pulls it off.” BUILDING FORWARD Though most participating classes meet with the UIF mentors just once a week, the program’s impact has been far-reaching. Elisio applied for and received a UIF grant for $25,000 to be used toward the school’s STREAM efforts. So far, the school has used the funds to purchase two 3D printers. Students have designed and printed objects including keychains, snowmen, and pumpkins. Sixth and seventh graders — who participate in UIF sessions a few times a year — have gotten to join in the fun too. “Just today, I printed test pieces during my 7th grade class, and my students couldn’t get enough,” Elisio says. “They stood in front of the printers the whole time — they were so excited to see the finished products.” And for some students, the program embodies the opportunity to build something bigger, fostering a spark of an interest that’s worth pursuing into the future. “The UIF program has opened my eyes to a whole new world of technology,” says 8th grader Amy Werner. “I never knew 3D printing was so accessible, or that it would be something I would be interested in. It’s now definitely something I plan to carry on to high school.” 16