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High School Students Design ‘Smart Cities’ of the Future at SLU

by Carrie Bebermeyer on 07/03/2018
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Carrie Bebermeyer
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07/03/2018

For 10 days this month, high school juniors will eat, sleep and breathe technology, innovation and collaboration at Lift Off, a residential summer program at SLU. The program challenges students to problem-solve issues to improve life in St. Louis through virtual reality, architectural design and creative story-telling.

Lift Off is administered by Notes For Life Arts & Technology (NFLAT) which is joining a city-wide effort to encourage efficient problem solving through technology. The City of St. Louis is among several cities across the country participating in the federal Smart City Initiative— an effort to modernize the use of technology to improve quality of life for residents.

The camp will begin Thursday, July 12 and runs for 10 days.

Participants will explore STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math)-centered solutions for transportation, urban development, infrastructure and environmental challenges using innovative collaboration, creative storytelling, virtual reality and architectural design tools.

NFLAT CEO Ronnie Notch says, “Lift Off is designed to prepare young people to meet those critical needs for STEM-related answers to everyday issues.”

The program aims to create a STEM talent pipeline which encourages future generations to stay and invest in their hometown. Students will work with and learn from experts in Smart City initiatives including members of local government. 

“We are going to include the youth in the very planning that will affect them in the future,” said NFLAT COO Tiffany Notch. “Our belief is that if they feel connected to their community, they’ll take care of their community.”

There are limited spaces remaining for Lift Off candidates that are sponsored by SLU alum, faculty, or staff. To learn more, contact Ryan Wilson at 314-977-7673 or ryan.wilson@slu.edu.

About NFLAT
Founded in 2014, Notes For Life Arts & Technology provides cutting-edge technological experiences in the arts, gaming, and computer science. Our mission to empower every student, everywhere in a peer-to-peer, hands-on learning culture has impacted over 450,000 students.