Girlmade had the opportunity to interview Jacquelyn Leung, who is a sophomore at Galena High School recently to learn first hand how these Northern Nevada teens used their technology skills to sweep the Southern Nevada challenge and contest.
LK: Tell us why you entered the program:
JL: I entered the program as a way to get an inside look into Engineering. This camp Nevada Summer Transport Institute (NSTI) is a FREE two week long residential program open to students attending public or private high schools in Nevada. Students participated in lectures, seminars, activities and field trips that will exposed them to the new frontiers and adventures in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines with a special attention to the transportation industry. In fact, five out of the 20 students selected were from Galena High School.
LK: Was there a competition?
JL: Yes, we were divided into four groups of five person teams, each given an area on where we proposed improving transportation. We presented a project to a panel of judges on the last day of camp. For example, one group was challenged to connect the major convention centers. Another group had to connect the Las Vegas airport to the strip and downtown. My group was called the “Elevated Experience” as we were challenged to create different methods of transportation from Las Vegas strip to downtown. One of our team goals was to preserve the “Las Vegas Experience” which is why we decided to design a pedestrian skywalk from the beginning of the strip to the end. An additional proposal we had was the tubenet transportation system modeled after China as it was only $5 million per mile to build.
LK: Did they give you a budget in the challenge?
JL: No budget. But our team did take price into account in our design proposal.
LK: What was the outcome on the last day?
JL: After the group presentation, our team was awarded the ‘Best Group Award’
LK: Impressive. How has this camp experience influenced you?
JL: I learned a lot about engineering and this camp confirmed my love and passion for it. I definitely want to pursue a career in engineering.
LK: Who sponsored the event?
JL: Multicultural Program for STEM and Health Sciences, UNLV College of Engineering, UNLV Office of Diversity Initiatives, United States Department of Transportation, NevadaDot, and Federal Highway of Administration
LK: Are there are photos you can share?
JL: Yes there is a facebook album at: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.880622391992576.1073741854.571210186267133&type=3 you can review our field trips and learning experience.