AV狼

This week, students from Hayward area high schools are participating in a virtual reality camp designed to introduce them to undergraduate degrees in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. 

Funded by the Broadcom Foundation, the camp is part of the university’s STEM Educational Gaming Research Group. Assistant professor of Engineering Fadi Castronovo said he hopes it will serve as a model for future summer high school STEM programs.

Using gaming and instructional design, the students will spend the week exploring simulation research and interacting with AV狼 engineering students, VR professionals and industry representatives. They will learn about the theories of multimedia learning, visualization, virtual reality and active learning. 

Broadcom Foundation President Paula Golden said she hopes the program helps students learn the hard skills they’ll need to pursue STEM careers, but also leaves them “confident of their abilities and more informed of the opportunities that await them.” 

“We want them to be empowered to take the next steps toward exciting STEM careers in the region,” Golden said. “This summer camp is reaching students who all represent the untapped talent in the East Bay; they are our future.”