We created the MassRobotics Jumpstart Fellowship Program in 2021 to supply numerous Massachusetts highschool women with alternatives to find out about STEM careers in robotics and develop their skilled networks by means of direct engagement with business professionals. This system consists of three equally necessary elements: Technical Expertise, Mentorship & Networking, and Internships.
The five-month program gives them with a stable basis of technical abilities, together with design, programming, fabrication, and electronics. The scholars are uncovered weekly to mentors {and professional} networking workshops and provided summer time internships in native robotics and expertise corporations to achieve real-world expertise.
This yr, our program was expanded to host a further cohort in Lowell and Boston.
The general public faculty trip week (Feb 19-23) targeted on robotics and tech firm visits. We had been lucky to have so many superb corporations supply to host and communicate with our college students. The ladies discovered firsthand about manufacturing and fabrication, analysis and improvement, design and testing, and the a number of profession paths in tech corporations.
Boston go to recap:
Every distinctive go to in and across the Better Boston space showcased girls in technical careers, from leaders in Academia to leaders implementing world change.
SOLIDWORKS classes with Rachael Naoum are going superb!! The Fellows abilities are phenomenal, and can enhance additional the final two SOLIDWORKS targeted secessions in March. Thanks Rachael as at all times!
Ava Robotics opened their doorways to share with Jumpstart Fellows the internal workings of their telepresence robots. The Fellows had been in a position to get an understanding of limitations and commerce offs of {hardware} choices, whereas being true to their goal. Ava offered a good way to kick off our week full of latest experiences. Thanks to Marcio Macedo and Abby Fechtman.
The Fab Basis and the Middle for Bits and Atoms on the MIT Media Lab lined up a number of girls pursuing their PhDs creating options which have the potential to combine robotic techniques in novel methods. Our Fellows had the chance to check themselves in environments that can additional domesticate their technical experience and creativity. Thanks Claire Doresett, Sherry Lassiter, Amira Abdel-Rahman, Camron Blackburn, Miana Smith!
GreenSight has been an integral associate for Jumpstart and has continued to play a big function in this system, and this trip week was no completely different. Fellows had been ecstatic as that they had the possibility to expertise drones which can be huge and small, flying solo or with a swarm. Along with a energetic go to, the present cohort ran right into a Jumpstart scholar (Boston – Cohort 3), who’s at the moment working half time whereas ending her highschool diploma. Thanks to Joel Pedlikin, Gwenda Legislation, Maria Kloiber, Kyle Sayers, Eli Davis, Ben Pedtke, Benjamin Boulsch, Mitch Jones, Mitch Jones!
MagLevAero is at all times thrilling to have the chance to have interaction with. Fellows had their eyes opened to what could possibly be achieved when leveraging information and group experience to deliver a imaginative and prescient to actuality. Studying about the way forward for transportation and drones whereas understanding challenges concerned with creating higher options whereas addressing limitations. Thanks to Ian Randall and Roman Lilligren!
Lowell go to recap:
Every distinctive go to in and across the Lowell space showcased girls in technical careers, from entry-level to Vice Presidents of Engineering.
At New Steadiness, we had been greeted by Sarah Mendelowitz, Supervisor of MADE Automation and Robotics. Derek Cobbe led us by means of the steps to producing a sneaker – WOW – The manufacturing facility was eye-opening.
At Brooks Automation, we met a number of feminine engineers in numerous levels of their careers, from a brand new rent simply out of school to mid-career degree. We heard about their profession selections and what they beloved about their present work at Brooks Automation. We additionally discovered concerning the CEO’s profession, from preliminary technician to returning to high school to earn his engineering diploma. After lunch and a guided tour from Rick Gibbs, staff led a workshop the place the fellows may use instruments within the workshop. Thanks to Lisa Ritcher, Kayla Bell, Michaela Freed, Cynthia; Zatlokowicz, Lillian Stewart, Erika Beherrell, Jenn Mangano, and Rick Gibbs!
At Desktop Metallic, the fellows met Jonah Myerberg, Founder and CTO. He shared expertise round a number of sorts of additive manufacturing, from medals to plastics to enamel enamel!! One of many largest labs and printer areas is run by a feminine! She confirmed the scholars a number of prints at numerous levels. Johan handled the fellows to 3D printed rings! Thanks to Jonah and Sheena Lake for arranging the journey!
The MITRE Company hosted the fellows for a day of a sonar workshop and demo of an underwater ROV of their new take a look at tank! Additionally they had a panel of girls sharing their passions and profession paths. Thanks to Rus Graves and Jay Lustig!
The final go to for the Lowell cohort was to Teledyne/FLIR. The fellows discovered concerning the development of a number of floor cellular robots for protection and public security functions. After discussions with the Valery Fercho, Director of Engineering and several other different feminine engineers, the scholars had enjoyable driving the robots. thanks to Olivia Truslow, Susan Macchia, Valery Fercho , Mary Winslow and Monika Pesa! Learn extra concerning the go to at Teledyne/FLIR right here.
Boston and Lowell cohorts come collectively
Each Boston and Lowell cohorts merged for a session at Shell Tech Works, the place a panel {of professional} girls from Shell shared their ideas round what impressed them to work in sustainability, what a working day at Shell was like, their profession highs and lows, and recommendation and abilities wanted for achievement, The ladies then divided into smaller teams for a workshop celebrating Worldwide Girls’s Day – Dialogue was targeted on committing to “encourage Inclusion”. The ladies had been then handled to skilled headshots and a roof-top lunch! Thanks to Ellen Avery and Mary Slater!
Amazon Robotics hosted the Lowell Cohort of their North Studying facility and the Boston Cohort within the Westborough facility. The Fellows obtained an organization overview detailing most of the robots working in Amazon success facilities. They got a tour to see the fabrication and testing of the robots and even areas for analysis. Thanks to Julie Mitchell, Tye Brady, Rebecca Passo Mikulski, Amanda Rodrigues Smith, Jackie Gabrielli, Lisa Medina Smith.
All through the visits, the scholars requested considerate questions and gained nice perception into future profession paths!! Thanks to our superb ecosystem for opening your doorways and sharing your applied sciences and operations with our Jumpstart Fellows.
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