Megan S

- Research Program Mentor

Bio

Project ideas

Designing and Building a Miniature Solar-Powered Robotic Car

Field of Expertise: This project encompasses principles of mechanical engineering, robotics, and sustainable energy. It provides an opportunity for students to explore topics such as energy conversion, simple mechanical systems, basic robotics, and solar technology. Knowledge and Skills Gained: By the end of the project, students will have learned about the fundamental principles of mechanical engineering and robotics such as design processes, material selection, and basic electronic systems. They will also gain practical knowledge about sustainable energy sources, specifically solar power. Skills will include research, problem-solving, design thinking, basic coding for controlling robotic movements, and team collaboration. Information Gathering Process: 1. Begin with understanding the basics of mechanical engineering and robotics: mechanical systems, energy conversion, and basic electronics. 2. Dive deeper into the study of solar power: how it works, its efficiency, and how to effectively harness it for powering small vehicles. 3. Learn about microcontrollers and how they can be programmed to control motors and steer the robot car. 4. Investigate the principles of design and material selection that allow for efficient movement and power usage. 5. Look at examples of other solar-powered devices and vehicles for inspiration and understanding. Potential Student Outcomes: The main outcome of this project will be a working prototype of a miniature solar-powered robotic car. This prototype will be able to move and steer based on solar energy harnessed through a small solar panel. The students will also create a project report detailing their design process, challenges faced, solutions created, and lessons learned, which can be converted into a scientific research paper or a presentation. Furthermore, students could design a simple website or webpage that showcases their project, thus applying and developing some basic website design skills. This project not only gives students a tangible outcome that they can be proud of but also instills an understanding of the practical applications of sustainable energy and mechanical engineering. It encourages them to think creatively, work collaboratively, and engage hands-on with the material they are studying.

Designing and Building a Water Rocket

Field of Expertise: This project allows students to delve into the exciting field of aerospace engineering, particularly focusing on the design and launch of rockets. It's an exploration of principles such as aerodynamics, propulsion, and physics involved in rocketry, demonstrated through a simple and safe model: a water rocket. Knowledge and Skills Gained: Through this project, students will gain a basic understanding of aerospace engineering concepts, such as thrust, gravity, drag, and stability. They'll also acquire practical skills like experimental design, prototyping, and data analysis. Students will also develop problem-solving skills, teamwork, and the ability to present and explain their work effectively. Information Gathering Process: 1. Start with a study of basic physics concepts, such as gravity, air resistance, and Newton's laws of motion. 2. Dive into the fundamentals of rocketry, including propulsion, aerodynamics, and stability. 3. Research about water rockets specifically: how they work, what factors can influence their performance, and safety considerations. 4. Look at case studies of real-life rocket launches to understand the challenges faced in rocket engineering and how these principles apply in practice. Potential Student Outcomes: The culmination of this project will be a water rocket designed and built by the students themselves. The students will also conduct a series of test launches to experiment with variables such as water volume, launch angles, and pressure levels, aiming to achieve the highest possible altitude. The recorded data from these tests will then be analyzed and presented in a research paper, explaining the design process, test methodology, data analysis, and conclusions about the rocket's performance. Furthermore, students can create a digital portfolio or blog about their project. They can document the whole process of their project from the design phase to the launch and the outcomes, thus involving some basic skills of website design. This digital portfolio or blog can be shared with peers, teachers, or anyone interested in learning about their project. In the end, students will not only have gained theoretical knowledge and practical experience in the field of rocket engineering, but they'll also have a physical model of a rocket that they designed and launched, along with a comprehensive record of their scientific process.

Building an Interactive Student Project Portfolio Website

Field of Expertise: This project delves into the realm of website design and development. It's focused on creating a digital platform where students can showcase their academic projects, achievements, and learning experiences. Knowledge and Skills Gained: Students participating in this project will gain an understanding of the principles of website design, including layout, color theory, typography, user experience (UX), and user interface (UI) design. They will learn to code using HTML, CSS, and possibly JavaScript, depending on the level of interactivity desired for the website. They will also learn how to plan and manage a digital project, gather and respond to user feedback, and present their work in a digital format. Information Gathering Process: 1. Begin with understanding the basic principles of website design and how to use design to communicate effectively online. 2. Learn HTML and CSS for the basic structure and style of the website. JavaScript can be added for more interactivity, such as filters for project types. 3. Explore portfolio websites for inspiration, noting what works well and what could be improved. 4. Research best practices for presenting work online, including how to write project descriptions, how to take and choose photos, and how to organize information in a clear and engaging way. 5. Collect feedback from potential users to guide the design and development process. Potential Student Outcomes: The result of this project will be a live, interactive portfolio website showcasing the students' projects. This digital platform could include photos, descriptions, and reflections for each project, and potentially even downloadable resources or documents. The website could also include features such as filters for different project types, a contact form for visitors to leave feedback or ask questions, and links to any relevant external resources or references. As part of the project, students will also create a "process book" or documentation that records their design and development process, the choices they made and why, and what they learned. This could take the form of a digital document, a blog, or even a section on the portfolio website itself. This project will not only provide students with valuable technical and design skills, but also leave them with a professional online presence they can continue to build on in the future. It will be a platform that can grow with them, showcasing their academic journey and achievements.

Coding skills

Teaching experience

Credentials