Hands-On Engineering Projects
I created hands-on projects for Technovation Families that are used by children, families, and educators. These activities teach engineering concepts based on the work of scientists and engineers. All challenges use simple household materials, are suitable for students ages 5-18, are open-ended, and connect to real applications of science and engineering. Some of the topics I’ve developed these hands-on challenges around include:
- Artificial Intelligence
- Nanoscience
- Genetics
- Aerospace
- Biomimicry
- Mechanical Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
In addition to developing challenges, I also develop many supporting materials to accompany them such as videos, lesson plans, teacher guides, and more.
Artificial Intelligence
During the Spring of 2017, my team and I developed three hands-on challenges to teach children and their families about artificial intelligence. The three challenges are listed below:
| Parallel Processing Machine | Neural Network | Self Driving Car Game |
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The three challenges were tested out with a group of high schoolers at conference by NVIDIA. Afterwards they were incorporated in outreach events by NVIDIA and into the AI Family Challenge curriculum.
Nanoscience
In the Winter of 2017, I created three videos to accompany activities developed with the help of undergraduate students at RPI (Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute). These videos explain important concepts in nanoscience and help students get starting building the challenges.
| Quantum Dots | Nanopipe | Nanostamp |
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Genetics
In the fall of 2015, I worked with Elliot Meyerowitz, a scientist at the California Institute of Technology, to develop two videos and a hands-on building project that teaches children about plant genetics. The project and two videos that work together to deliver technical concepts to a young audience.
| Design a Set of Mechanical Genes |
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Aerospace
In a partnership with Boeing, I worked with engineers to develop hands-on projects based around the engineering work at Boeing. In total, my team developed 21 activities, each with three accompanying videos. Below are three of the challenges.
| Safe Stopping Robot | Fuel Level Detector | SLS Inspired Rocket |
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More
In addition to these challenges, I’ve also developed and contributed to many others. Some notable examples are listed below.
| Planting Machine | Blooming Flower | Root System |
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| Water Collection System | Light Dispersal System | Wind Powered Turbine |
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