WHS STEM Ambassador Launches LABUkraine

“I have been involved with WHS STEM field trips since I was in sixth grade.  My first trip was to the U.S. Secret Service Forensics Lab and it was the most exciting day of science and technology I’d ever experienced.  It had a huge impact on all of my friends and everyone was talking about it for weeks,” said Kalyna White at the announcement. “I wanted to share that excitement and that potential with some of the kids who are not as fortunate as I am.”

Ms. White and a number of Advisors to LABUkraine will travel to the western region of the country and work with their first facility, an all-girls orphanage with 85 students in Bukovo.  In summer 2017, LABUkraine will outfit the orphanage with a computer lab – supplying everything from the hardware and software to furniture or anything required to provide a welcoming atmosphere for the students.

“This project is incredibly important to the development and opportunities for the young girls in the Bukovo orphanage.  WHS is proud to provide a launching pad for this exciting project and support our STEM Ambassador in her passion to introduce STEM to students who do not now even have access to computers,” said Lori Gordon, WHS STEM Director and Advisor to LABUkraine.

LABUkraine’s vision is to perfect the computer lab model and spread it to underprivileged children across the globe.  Phase I of the project will secure and outfit the institutions with equipment and any furnishing needs.  LABUkraine is accepting donations of computers, tablets, laptops, power strips and money to complete Phase I.  A Gofundme campaign was initiated several months ago and the group has been hosting small fundraisers to raise awareness and resources: https://www.gofundme.com/LABukraine2

Phase II will develop workshops led by technologists from the United States and work to bring some of the students to the United States for STEM summer camps.  In Ukraine, LABUkraine would implement classes, scholarships, and “job” fairs that would expose young Ukrainians to lucrative careers in growing technology fields, contribute to the growing technology sector in Ukraine, improve and enhance relations between the United State and Ukraine, and work to provide these kids with a better future.

LABUkraine is now collecting tax deductible donations of computers, funds, and volunteers. For more information please visit www.LABUkraine.com or donate at the GoFundMe campaign: https://www.gofundme.com/LABukraine2

Follow on Facebook to see LABUkraine’s progress!  https://www.facebook.com/LABUkraine/

LABUkraine is a non-profit organization that seeks introduce STEM to underprivileged children by building computer labs – supplying everything from the hardware and software to furniture or anything required to provide a welcoming atmosphere. Phase I will outfit institutions with the equipment needs.  Phase II will develop on-going learning and instruction by technologists from the United States to expose young students to lucrative careers in growing fields, contribute to the growing technology sector in Ukraine, improve and enhance relations between the United State and Ukraine, and provide Ukraine with a better standard of living and a better future.  Learn more and follow us at www.LABUkraine.com.

Since 2012, the Women in Homeland Security (WHS) Science, Technology, Engineering, Math (STEM) initiative has been connecting students with exciting hands-on field trips related to homeland and national security. With minimal poster boards and no lecturing, WHS focuses on bringing the coolest STEM out there to our next generation of STEM leaders. Geared toward kids who may not realize the many exciting STEM opportunities that are available to them and extending the possibilities for those who do, WHS works with both the public and private sector to feature the latest advancements to support the most pressing security issues — cyber security, drones, robotics, weaponry, mission support, maritime engineering, and much more.   Learn more at www.WHSSTEM.com.