The Sunrise S.T.E.A.M. Shack

Helping build children's futures beyond cancer through Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math.

www.STEAMShack.org

What inspired you to make this project?:
The S.T.E.A.M. Shack initiative was launched by sixteen year old self proclaimed computer
geek, Max Miller. Last summer Max stepped out of his comfort zone and volunteered
as a counselor at Sunrise Day Camp-Long Island, the world’s first day camp for children
with cancer and their siblings, offered free of charge.

He was nervous because he had no experience working with, or even being around, children with cancer. He is also much more comfortable sitting behind a keyboard or tinkering with a robot, than he is throwing, hitting or kicking a ball. Max immediately connected with one of the campers, a 9 year old cancer patient, who shared his interest in cars, pop culture and technology. He mentioned to him that he is the co-captain and manager of his high school robotics team, built his own computer, and knows how to write 13 coding languages. The camper told Max that he would like to learn to write code, and wished that the camp had a tech center. The two them continued to talk about this throughout the summer, discussing ideas for tech activities and programs. This is what inspired Max to create the S.T.E.A.M. Shack (Tech Center) on the campgrounds, and an online community where kids can learn S.T.E.A.M. skills at camp, in the hospital, or in the comfort of their own home.

Children with cancer often miss long periods of school, thereby falling behind their peers. S.T.E.A.M. Shack programs will offer Sunrise campers the chance to learn valuable skills that can translate to future career opportunities, particularly for kids with limited mobility and physical disabilities. As Max says… “If you can write code you can always find a job.” The S.TE.A.M. Shack’s mission is to turn pediatric cancer survivors into the technology professionals of the future.