New Haven Students Create Digital Models to Educate About HIV

    HAMDEN, CT, May 30, 2015 /24-7PressRelease/ -- The Engineering & Science Magnet School (ESUMS) is using the power of 3D modeling, social media and digital media to illustrate the progression of testing methods, the development of antiretroviral drugs, patient adherence issues and scientific advances toward a vaccine and cure. A team of tenth, eleventh and twelfth grade students has combined their video editing and 3D modeling skills to create videos that will inform the public of the molecular and scientific aspects of HIV in terms the general public can interpret and understand. Leon Tynes, ESUMS Technology instructor stated that "three dimensional models of the HIV virus have previously been developed exclusively for the research and medical community, thus, gHIVe's approach is unique because the content is intended for the average citizen."

The students are also developing a documentary highlighting critical information about HIV and chronicling the development of the three dimensional media. Jordyn Horne, student team leader of gHIVe3d.com states, "HIV/AIDS is still a critical issue that affects people of all ages." She continues to state that, "people infected and affected by AIDS do not know what is going on inside of the body." The Connecticut Department of Public Health reported 330 newly diagnosed cases of HIV with 92 cases in the 20-29 year old age range. The students have partnered with Dr. Krystn Wagner at the Fair Haven Community Health Center who stated; "about 18 percent of people with HIV don't know they have it...we need to encourage people, even young people to go out to get tested."

Based on a recent CDC report, people ages 15 to 24 are responsible for about half of the 20 million new STD cases each year. "As a result of participating in this in-depth project, these young people have empowered themselves to change the world of antiquated thinking often associated with HIV/AIDS and to reach numerous and sizeable populations with their informative educational videos," stated Dr. Cheryl Kerison, Magnet Resource Teacher at ESUMS. "The students learned about the disease as they developed and promoted the project," said Mr. Tynes.

The gHIVe team will present their videos and three-dimensional models at the Connecticut Student Innovation EXPO on Saturday, June 6 at the XL Center in Hartford, CT.

About gHIVe: gHIVe was created when from an assignment given in an ESUMS 3D modeling course pertaining to five scientific topics relating to detecting, managing and combating HIV. Founded in 2015 by ESUMS students in Hamden, gHIVe aims to inform HIV and explain the disease itself through its scientific terms, and spread the message of prevention through that way.

About ESUMS: The Engineering and Science University Magnet High School is a public college preparatory high school in the New Haven Public School District. Students are challenged to imagine, investigate and invent while being prepared for demanding science, technology, engineering, and math programs at a collegiate level. For more info about ESUMS, please visit www.esumsnh.net.

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