Summer STEAM Camp 2026
EMPOWERING THE NEXT GENERATION: BUILDING EQUITY IN A.I. WITH HUMAN & EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE
Today, all scholars checked in and had a little fun time in the basement filled with many activities. After, they enjoyed dinner at Clark Dining Hall. Thank you parents for getting your scholars here on time and safely. Hopefully, the scholars will enjoy themselves, be sponges and absorb the knowledge all week by presenters. Much more to come during this action packed week of STEAM and AI!
“AI and Its Impacts” was presented by Mr. Foster
Word: Hesperidium
The scholars were challenged to define the word, “Hesperidum.” The word means if a person were unfamiliar with the subject then it is hard to process, identify, and make a conclusion if there is no experience. This was an ice breaker to help scholars get in the mindset of Artificial Intelligence. In other words, AI provides information based upon how it has been programmed. And when asked a question, it will provide specific information for that question. Thus, AI provides information based on its knowledge and can produce accurate or inaccurate solutions.
Day 1 (Sunday): Welcome Scholars’ Parent
Today, scholars learned how AI bias can affect the results needed of patients. They are learning how to tailor AI based on their bias. This presentation dives into how we can find some form of bias being present within the healthcare system. This may also impact a patient’s health and treatment. Scholars had to choose which factor of a patient would determine who had more pain. Many factors like housing, food availability, insurance, citizenship, etc., can determine a person’s “pain accepted” or treatment. Peer pressure can impact choices whether it’s good or bad. Scholars were asked, “What information should or should not be used to determine a patient’s outcome?"
Day 2 (Monday): “AI & You...What Is Bias? - Mr. Willis and Professor Saliim
Example 1:
Subject: Doctor
Name: Dr. Alexander
College: University of Texas
Family: Mother, father, and 2 siblings
Nationality/ethnicity: Mexican-Irish
● Bias is an “unfair” opinion.
● “To favor one thing over another”
● “To not agree”
● “When a personal connection influences experience.”
Team names:
● Zaniya’s group- Three Amigos
● Sara’s group- The 6 musketeers
● Jalen’s group- Science Ninjas
● Grant’s group- The Blue Jays
● Gabi’s group- Dynamics
● Dadrian’s group- Global Goats
● Corey’s group- Team Bias
● Riley’s group- King & Queens
“The Person In The Mirror”- Mr. Copeland
“Morales and personality”- Scholars
“Eq Unlocked: Power of Emotional Intelligence & Mastering Your Life”- Ms. Gibbs & Dr.Downing
We were honored to have both Dr. Downing and Ms. Gibbs presents their insights on emotional intelligence. They dive deep into emotional intelligence and how we deal with emotions. As people, we are going to express different emotions. Emotions are very complex and should letthem control us but for us to control them. People should be able to have the ability to codeswitch which is when a person changes themselves, clothing, and language use dependingwhat environment they are in. But having self actualization is really important which means to be“motivated internally and be your most authentic self”.
Side quest: scholars were dancing and competing in Cup grab.
Scholars were given a presentation by Dr. Michael R. Kosorok (Dept. of Biostatistics and Dept.of Statistics and Operations research) and Dr. Lindsey Yates (Dept. of Maternal and ChildHealth). AI is used for a lot of things in Healthcare.
Example: Automated Gestational Age prediction using AI.“Using AI to accurately predict gestational age using inexpensive ultrasounds by briefly trained sonographers”. This had a great impact on global health in limited resources communities. Fun fact: The total cost in US standard care is the need for expensive ultrasounds ($100,000 orgreater), ObGyn physician, and graduate trainees. Another example: AI used in Health Disparities in T1 Diabetes. Longitudinal data (SEARCH for Diabetes in Youth Studies) is carefully collected on young adults with this condition. It helps determine different treatments’ probabilities. Public health is a way to identify trends, outcomes, and solutions for populations. Data centers are being built in rural areas more than urban areas. Why is it important where we build data centers? People who live in rural areas are typically more sicker than people who live in urban communities. Therefore, the decision of having data centers that use natural resources in these areas is considered “not” a problem. Implicit bias: we all hold bias and opinions of what something should be. Ex: stereotypes.
Day 3: “Who builds A.I?” at UNC Gillings School Auditorium
Dr. Bass is an Oncologist Physical Therapist who serves as a Certified Lymphedema Therapist with Levine Cancer Institute in Charlotte, NC. It took 4 years in undergraduate, 2 years for Masters, a year in research, and 3 years in Clinical to become a PT. Dr. Bass said, "AI is more in generalization and therefore you still need to use your clinical knowledge." People require different prosthetics or prosthetic legs. Prosthetics can range from molded silicone covers to highly advanced brain-controlled bionic limbs. The hardest part for him is detaching from patients when they pass away.
Quotes from Dr. Bass:
“If you find yourself to be the smartest person in the room, find a new one.”
"Get Comfortable with being uncomfortable."
“Don’t attach yourself to a grade because it does not define you.”
“Keep going because if you stop there, you won’t be where you are in 5-10 years.”
Day 3: “Physical Therapy & Your Body” - Dr. Michael Bass
Day 3: UNC Basketball Museum at Deon Dome
Scholars learned about the history of the Tarheels' legacy. They saw different players and coaches that were recognized such as Michael Jordon, Dean Smith, and Roy Williams. There were interactive presentation, artifacts such as coaches play books, used sneakers, signed basketballs, and trophies from each year that they won.
Day 4: “Who Built It?”- CEO Michael Russel, Sr.
Mr. Russell is the Chief Executive Office of H. J Russell & Company based in Atlanta, Georgia. It was founded in 1952 by his father, Mr. Herman Russell. He serves on the boards of various organizations including Metro Atlanta Chamber and many more other major cities. He learned that building relationships, showing confidence, and being comfortable with being uncomfortable, are key to success. Also having a work-life balance is important. HJR was one of three companies that built The National Museum of African American History in Washington, DC. HJR was the project lead for the NC State University Talley Student Union.
“Culture means to make an impact in your community. One of my most memorable projects will the National Museum of African American History."
"Be Curious."
"Leave a Legacy."
- CEO Michael Russell, Sr.
“Knowledge capture tools to use”- Professor Saliim & Mr. Foster
Scholars were taken to the Talley Student Center to the gift shop at NC State and Mr. Copeland treated everyone to ice cream.
Scholars were preparing for their big presentation on “AI and how it affects the healthcare systems” for Friday.
“OPPS I BROKE MY ARM”- Dr. Augustine Conduah
(Serves as a member of American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine and American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. He is also a member of the Hughston Society. Dr. Conduah earned a Doctor of Medicine from UCLA.)
Scholars are learning how to identify and fix fractures. By using an x-ray, CT scan, or MRI to identify where the bone is broken or move out of place. Techniques like ACL surgery, robotic surgery, and joint replacement surgery are used. AI data sets are used to predict models and guide treatment. Antibiotics are for bacteria and vaccines are used for viral infections. AI helps do more precise surgery to help proportion the body parts correctly. It can also help create 3D models of the bone that needs to be corrected. AI in day to day work is when a medical scribe takes notes of what the doctor and patients discuss with each other for later visits and building purposes. A tool called ABRIDGE is a device listening to the doctor and patients conversations which improve the doctor's focus on the patient. “Sometimes the challenges we have are internal and we have to take on that to overcome it.”
-Dr. Augustine Conduah
Day 5: Presentations & X-Rays
First Black Female from NC State University to graduate with a PhD in 1973. She did research on disease in plants. She felt an honor to be with the young scholars. "When I went to school here, people questioned why I was here. You belong here scholars. Get the most out of each opportunity presented to you."
Day 5: Dr. Nannette Smith
Scholars learned the proper ways of eating and how to present themselves to people. Pointers ranging from language use to proper greetings and eating techniques. When you are standing, you are supposed to do a church stance with your hands. To properly greet someone, you are supposed to say hi and state your first and last name while shaking their hands 3 times.
“No profanity because it is a loser language.”
1. No slang
2. No negativity
3. No judgement
4. No drama
The top 5 things not talk about at an etiquette dinner because it becomes debatable.
1. Religion
2. Politics
3. Race
4. Sexual orientation
5. Ethnic background
“I’m happy, I’m positive, I’m confident, I’m special. I love me!”
“I am, I can, I will!”
Scholars had to show off their etiquette skills during a 3 course plated dinner that was prepared at Witherspoon center.
Day 5: “Etiquette Tools" Dr Donna Corbett
On day 6, scholars and parents sat in Witherspoon center. Each group presented their findings about what they learned about AI in different professional jobs and their experiences. The counselors were recognized and the executive team. After that, there was two surprises for Mr. Copeland that was in a form of videos. The first one was about the scholars thanking Mr. Copeland for their experiences and the professionals they met. And how their experiences had a great impact on their lives. The second one was about Dr. D congratulating Mr. Copeland on the 8th summer STEAM camp and how appreciative she and everyone are for him. This had him in tears.
For the closing remarks, Dr. Nannette Smith gave a speech about what she experienced while she was with us for a day. She talks about different ways of courage and how it is an important factor in life. She also expressed if you work hard and stay connected to people who can guide you in the right directions, you will succeed. Along with confidence and trust are key.
"No one becomes great alone."
"Every opportunity requires courage."
- Dr. Nannette Smith
