Jumpstart Fellowship: Celebrating Scholar Experiences and Accomplishments

We’re completely satisfied to share a few of our Jumpstart Fellows experiences and accomplishments. The reflections from these Jumpstart college students reinforce the necessity for a lot of these applications and we’re grateful to the taking part corporations for his or her hospitality, opening their doorways to our college students, working with and mentoring them, treating them as valued workers, and giving them significant work and expertise that encourage their futures. The objective of the Jumpstart program is to encourage and empower various highschool women to pursue careers in robotics and promote the variety of the robotics workforce by giving them a stable basis of technical abilities in addition to an expert community to offer them the boldness and help they should pursue a profession within the tech discipline.

The Cohort 4 program curriculum ran from January to Could 2024, each Saturday and thru the February faculty trip.  College students’ coursework included design, fabrication, engineering and coding in addition to programming round delicate abilities, networking and dealing in an expert surroundings. 

In August (2024) our college students had a remaining session the place they shared their internship expertise with one another by shows to the group – together with their employers. These college students had the distinctive alternative to work with corporations that actually consider within the potential of younger minds, offering them with actual skilled experiences earlier than faculty even begins.

An enormous thanks to all the businesses who help our mission by hiring Jumpstart Fellows to intern at their corporations this summer time — their mentorship and steering are invaluable.

GreenSight is a founding associate and collaborator of our Jumpstart program and has hosted a number of interns yearly, together with hiring returning interns from earlier cohorts!!  Greensight took 4 interns this summer time.

Fellows reflections:

Catherine (rising senior at North Quincy Excessive College)

At GreenSight, I explored robotics, mechanical, and electrical engineering whereas working underneath a variety of tasks—most notably, WeatherHive. WxH goals to offer an autonomous answer for gathering climate information, and it deploys WISPS (drones) from a Hive (station) to conduct missions. I gained a various set of abilities and experiences whereas contributing to the present section of the venture. 

Within the area of mechanical engineering, I assembled Hives and ready elements within the machine store. Within the area {of electrical} engineering, I made wire harnesses and assisted in board testing. Additional, I researched and experimented with thermopile sensors to progress an early design characteristic within the drones to applicability. Alongside the best way, I spent my days within the laboratory, CADed quite a few parts, soldered numerous wires, and discovered from a group of each variety and educated engineers.

Not solely did I develop as an expert and developed a helpful technical background, I additionally found extra about myself on this internship. I’m greater than ever hooked on this self-discipline devoted to downside fixing, this world of designing, testing, and constructing machines & buildings.

A particular due to the unbelievable mentors at Greensight, from my wonderful supervisor to engineers passing by my desk that had been at all times prepared to assist. And, in fact, due to MassRobotics for offering this priceless alternative.

Mirudulaa  (rising senior at Quincy Excessive College)

At Greensight, I had the privilege of delving right into a broad spectrum of superior subjects from faculty stage physics to deep understanding {of electrical} and mechanical engineering, Greensight has taught the best way to succeed as a tenacious employee within the robotics discipline. My supervisor, Oliver, has spent numerous hours ensuring that I not solely discovered the subjects, however was additionally capable of correctly apply it to the sphere in actual life situations. Different individuals, corresponding to Joel, Maria, Mike, Eli, and Janice, have made certain that I get an unlimited publicity to new ideas, duties, and abilities to make my expertise unforgettable. 

I labored underneath varied tasks, most notably the SeaJelly, a bioinspired, biomimetic delicate aquatic robotic that harnesses the circulate of water, reasonably than air, to utilize actuators to maneuver underwater. I used to be capable of contribute massively to the venture by designing, testing, and utilizing CAD software program to provide you with a greater and extra superior design. In actual fact, this design was introduced to MassRobotics throughout the BlueTech Academy final month, the place I used to be capable of assist others construct, perceive, and study from SeaJelly.

Moreover, I helped with the hive meeting for the WeatherHive and CAD modeling and electrical analysis (awg wires, crimps, micro match connector, flange connector, digikey, and molex), tons of 3D printing (for SeaJelly and SPAMR venture), and Python for quite a few different tasks. All through the internship, I had the chance to advance my abilities of soldering, electrical element and PCB boards, format for PDR periods, CAD, and most significantly the understanding of who I’m as a feminine in STEM. I’m actually grateful for this wonderful alternative, due to Joyce, Kevin, Joel, and the entire group of Greensight.ole group of Greensight.

Alana (rising senior at Milton Excessive College)

This summer time at Greensight, I used to be assigned to SeaJelly however I needed extra of a problem along with engineering fingers on tasks and advocated for one thing totally different. I attempted out coding and cherished it. I quickly superior my coding abilities in quite a few languages corresponding to Python, Java, SQL, C++ and Lua. Coding on tasks like ATAK and WeatherHive was good for me as a result of it allowed me to actually assume outdoors the field in a enjoyable means as if it was a puzzle.

My favourite venture up to now has been utilizing Information Science to investigate geo mapping on Greensight’s Turf Cloud Software program. When first launched to this venture by Kyle I had minimal expertise in laptop science however he was capable of shortly give me the instruments I wanted to succeed. I used to be capable of write a Python script that may return the tlogs of a drones flight which included important info such because the heights of the drone, the place of the drone in relation to latitude and longitude, and the way lengthy the flight was. With this info I used to be capable of create graphs and tables to estimate the size of future flights relying on a programs measurement or location on Earth’s coordinates. 

I want to firstly thank my MassRobotics Jumpstart Mentors for introducing me to the sphere of laptop science and the Greensight Firm. I might additionally prefer to thank Greensight’s quite a few engineers and laptop scientists that made my Greensight internship a welcoming and educated expertise!

Michelle (rising senior at Boston Latin College)

Throughout my time at GreenSight, I used to be capable of work throughout totally different tasks and meet quite a few individuals who all helped to additional my studying and abilities within the realm of engineering.

From analysis on palm bushes to programing PDBs to testing climate sensors, the knowledge I discovered relating to PCBs, CADing, soldering, mechanical meeting, design, and so forth. shall be invaluable for my future. Alongside the opposite JumpStart interns, I used to be work on WeatherHive, serving to to assemble Hives within the store together with wiring and assembling cables.

I used to be additionally capable of spend a considerable quantity time CADing and 3D-printing. Past simply studying  the best way to convert a STL file to a STEP file and the best way to carry out upkeep on a 3D printers, the expertise gave me extra perception into what I used to be thinking about and in addition how a lot I used to be able to.

GreenSight has offered me with a welcoming surroundings full of encouraging individuals who had been at all times prepared to assist and reply my questions. Because of the workers of GreenSight who made this summer time a rewarding one (particularly my supervisor Mike) and thanks to MassRobotics for serving to to make  this internship doable.

Ruth (rising senior at MIT, Jumpstart Cohort 1 Alumni)

As a mechanical engineering intern at GreenSight, I had the chance to work on a wide range of tasks. One of many first I helped with was an axial flux motor.  I used  a pc aided design software program, to 3D mannequin an improved meeting of the stator and rotor. I additionally designed and 3D printed an revolutionary jig to facilitate the adhesion of magnets to the rotor. Moreover, I labored on SeaJelly, a bio-inspired aquatic robotic used for STEM training. Specifically, I performed waterproof testing on varied prototypes of a 3D printed canister and lid meeting, which comprise delicate electronics. I additionally taught excessive schoolers to construct their very personal SeaJellys.

One other brief venture I had was setting up a mount for a fixed-wing drone to launch off of. I discovered to benefit from restricted time and supplies to assemble a secure and functioning launch pad. Lastly, close to the tip of my internship I had the chance to go to Oklahoma to gather information with weather-detection drones. I bought expertise working within the discipline (actually!), doing dwell debugging and observing autonomous flights.

Emily  (Northeastern College incoming freshman) and Alison (rising junior at Somerville Excessive College) had their internship at WSP/Odeh Engineers

Odeh Engineers is a structural engineering agency that focuses on the design and analysis of many buildings all through the U.S.. They joined WSP in 2022 including experience to their engineering {and professional} companies firm, which embrace advanced markets like healthcare and science and expertise, in addition to business, residential, larger training, cultural, authorities, manufacturing and different key sectors.

 At their internships, the Fellows had the chance to rotate by a number of of WSP’s engineering departments together with Odeh Structural Engineers, Transportation Infrastructure Group, Land Surveying and Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing (MEP). They made website visits to HarbourVest, Harvard Enterprise Analysis Campus (ERC), State Road and the Winthrop Heart and used applied sciences together with Bluebeam, Revit, Enercalc, Mathcad and Autodesk Revit

Emily shares , “ I’m grateful for this expertise as a result of it confirmed me how broad engineering is, past the standard kinds of engineering. I used to be capable of observe the day by day lives of various engineers and why they selected this profession path. It actually helped me establish what I get pleasure from and what I’d need to keep away from in my future profession.” She goes on to say, “ I discovered the significance of collaboration and the way all kinds of engineering are wanted to work collectively to ship a profitable venture. Experiencing the tradition at WSP actually deepened my understanding of what it’s prefer to work within the engineering {industry}!”

 Tori Jiang (incoming Freshman at Purdue College)

MITRE is an engineering facility which helps a number of authorities tasks in healthcare, homeland safety and cybersecurity. The corporate has created many units to innovate within the superior maritime area. The meeting of those machines have to be recorded to permit for his or her replication and enchancment. Nonetheless, it’s practically not possible to precisely describe the meeting of such sophisticated apparatuses utilizing primary instruction manuals. 

That is the place my function is available in. At the moment, I’m engaged on interactive private documentation to obviously illustrate the meeting of those units. In SolidWorks Composer participant, customers can click on on totally different parts to see particulars in regards to the half in addition to see how it’s used within the machine. Interactive directions make meeting simpler, extra environment friendly, and a bit extra enjoyable as effectively. By means of this venture, I’ve discovered the best way to use Strong Works Composer in addition to strengthen my Linux and Git Hub abilities. I’ve discovered a lot all through this internship, and I’m certain that the abilities I’ve discovered at my time in MITRE will assist me thrive professionally sooner or later.

Rebeca (Incoming Freshman at Boston School) and Kate (rising senior at Cambridge Rindge and Latin College)

Tatum Robotics is an organization devoted to advancing assistive applied sciences for the DeafBlind. The DeafBlind talk by Tactile Signal Language, a variation of Signal Language that includes holding the signing hand or fingers in touch with the opposite individual, to allow them to observe each indicators and actions. This turns into a problem when using contact between individuals is proscribed, because it was with social distancing in 2020, when Tatum’s founder Samantha Johnson first started her masters thesis, a venture that may go on to develop into Tatum Robotics. She learn in regards to the struggles of the DeafBlind to function independently with scarce strategies of communication, and commenced to create a robotic fingerspelling hand that could possibly be used for digital tactile signing. As we speak, the corporate continues to develop the Tatum T1 hand, bringing it step-by-step nearer to widespread use. Moreover, they wish to the long run, contemplating different purposes and variations of their product. For example, in training, the place individualized consideration is critical for the DeafBlind, however inefficient and dear, there’s a want for instruments like Tatum’s Hand that may foster unbiased studying. The close-knit firm has additionally mastered lunchtime, ensuring to eat collectively each day (even when desk area is proscribed), and whose workers are a group of unlikely cooks, as demonstrated on the occasional flawless potluck. 

All through our internship we had the privilege of going deeper into the abilities we discovered within the Jumpstart program. Our venture at Tatum targeted on redesigning the robotic to be used of smaller decrease voltage motors. Our venture poses the good thing about extra environment friendly use of fabric and a brand new avenue for a smaller hand used for youngsters in elementary training. We started our process in 3d design by CAD software program, designing fashions that each maximize area and performance and are able to supporting the mandatory {hardware}. We discovered to think about the kinds of supplies, fasteners, and mechanics and their significance in design intent. Tangentially, we shortly grew to become acquainted with 3d printing and {hardware} meeting, understanding the constraints and design implications of 3d printing. In our efforts to check the effectiveness of the smaller motors, we accomplished PID tuning and cargo measurements. Lastly we had experiences with coding and using raspberry pi to speak with the robotic, finally gaining a full scope of the capabilities of the redesigned robotic. Our redesign has thus confirmed very promising and our preliminary assessments have been profitable. We’re excited to see the place Tatum takes our venture subsequent! This summer time has been a tremendous expertise. At tatum we gained a complete understanding of the engineering course of, from design intent to understanding the objective and the individuals we’re serving, educating each resolution to be made all through our venture.

 Shayna (rising senior at Thayer Academy)

Throughout my two-week internship at AccuRounds, a producing firm, I had the chance to achieve hands-on expertise in programming a collaborative robotic (cobot) and fascinating in 3D modeling. This expertise offered me with helpful insights into the mixing of superior applied sciences in trendy manufacturing processes. I labored underneath Matt Pham and he was ready to enter immense element about any questions I had. I cherished having him as a mentor and he taught me a lot in regards to the firm.

Programming the cobot was one of the crucial thrilling elements of my internship. I used to be launched to the fundamentals of robotic programming and given the possibility to work on a real-world venture. The cobot was designed to help in varied duties, corresponding to meeting and high quality management, which required exact programming to make sure accuracy and effectivity. By means of this expertise, I discovered the best way to write and debug code, arrange the robotic’s work surroundings, and optimize its efficiency. This not solely enhanced my technical abilities but in addition gave me a deeper understanding of automation and its function in bettering manufacturing productiveness.

Along with programming the cobot, I additionally labored on a number of 3D modeling tasks. Utilizing industry-standard software program, I created detailed fashions of parts and assemblies that had been integral to the corporate’s manufacturing processes. This expertise allowed me to use my data of engineering rules and enhance my proficiency in 3D modeling. I discovered the best way to create correct and useful designs, which had been then used to information the manufacturing course of. The power to visualise and manipulate 3D fashions was essential in figuring out potential points and making mandatory changes earlier than the precise manufacturing, thereby lowering errors and saving time.

General, my internship on the manufacturing firm was a useful expertise. Programming the cobot and dealing on 3D modeling tasks considerably contributed to my understanding of superior manufacturing applied sciences. These abilities should not solely related in right this moment’s {industry} however are additionally important for the way forward for manufacturing. The hands-on expertise I gained has impressed me to perhaps pursue a profession on this discipline, with a give attention to integrating expertise to reinforce manufacturing processes.

Bea (rising senior at Brookline Excessive College)

This summer time I had the chance to intern for Sea Machines Robotics, an organization that focuses on creating navigation and autonomous management programs for business and leisure boats. Their expertise allows boats and ships to function with out human intervention, bettering maritime operations’ effectivity, security, and reliability.

Throughout my internship, I spent a substantial period of time aboard The Maverick, one among their specialised workboats, underneath the steering of Captain Kelsey Longhi. Most of our days had been spent testing out their collaborative following, as we had simply added the flexibility to vary the mothership dynamically. This improve meant that Maverick might autonomously comply with any designated ship, even when the main vessel was modified, with none human interference.  In case the vessel misplaced energy, we made certain the return to flag instructions labored correctly. These gave us the flexibility to set a “flag” on a desired waypoint that the vessel would navigate to in case of communication loss. Together with each of these, the characteristic that impressed me essentially the most was impediment avoidance. This gave Maverick the flexibility to inform the distinction between static and transferring obstacles, and in flip, change the course it took to keep away from it and preserve itself protected. We examined this from 25, 50, and 100m. One key software that helped us with that was AI-ris which was an AI robotic that was capable of detect and categorize varied kinds of obstacles corresponding to totally different boats and buoys. AI-ris ingests 4K imagery with a single digicam and makes use of embedded Sea Machines software program to course of it in real-time. I additionally spent a while with Daman Yang, one of many firm’s engineers, as we constructed a model new SM360 from begin to end, and glued an AI-ris mannequin that had failed on account of creating smoke on one of many buyer’s boats. Daman taught me issues corresponding to resistance and Ohm’s legislation, energy distributions, and kinds of circuits. I additionally picked up on numerous the hand instruments generally used. I spent numerous time on confluence as Daman had written some paperwork he needed me to look over. I additionally helped with the corporate’s connection to Rolls Royce! We labored on a few of their computer systems earlier than sending them again out.

5 weeks felt too brief to be with such a tremendous firm, they made numerous progress inside a brief interval, and I really feel extremely grateful to have been part of it. Shifting ahead, I’m thinking about engineering however nonetheless need to preserve related to the ocean indirectly.

Carlie (rising sophomore at Harvard College, from Jumpstart Cohort 3)

Carlie used her Engineering design course of, CAD and networking abilities she discovered at Jumpstart throughout her summer time internship at Shell TechWorks.  Carlie writes:

All through my time at Shell Techworks I’ve seen how asking questions can information a venture and it helps to get a have a look at the larger image, which in flip permits me to progress inside varied tasks. I’ve spent numerous my time working with CAD and designing parts for our direct air seize system. Along with this, I’ve spent my time designing a cart for a purge extruder. With time, I’ve been capable of strengthen my CAD abilities, in solidworks. I used to be additionally launched to FEA and have a basic understanding about this course of. I’ve additionally discovered extra about manufacturing processes and thus I’m able to take this under consideration when engaged on designs. Lastly, there’s a emphasis on security at Shell TechWorks which has modified the best way I conduct sure duties both within the machine store or within the workplace. Protecting security in thoughts always creates a extra protected work surroundings which I discover essential and is one thing I admired in regards to the tradition at Shell Techworks. General, I had an important expertise working at Shell Techworks and I’ve gained helpful data and expertise throughout my internship!

Ava Robotics brings a deep technical heritage, established at iRobot, to outline and allow new alternatives for clever robots within the office. With this expertise, our Ava Robotic works to enhance human productiveness, security, and high quality of life for employees and prospects of companies throughout industries.  Ava Robotics hosted 2 Jumpstart interns this summer time.  Right here’s what they’ve to say:

“I’ve been fortunate sufficient to have spent 5 weeks over the summer time working for Ava Robotics. Ava is a telepresence robotic utilized in business (mostly factories) and medical settings. With Ava you’ll be able to maintain conferences and go to websites with out the journey bills. I used to be capable of work on an array of duties all through my time at Ava Robotics. From altering out blown wires to assembling total codec kits for a prototyping venture. Whereas the bodily work is a good expertise, I had some nice mentors. Working with Nicholas, Greg, Marcio, and in addition to Lucy, one other Jumpstart fellow, on a regular basis was a blessing. I gained numerous perspective on what this {industry} actually is and the way a lot there may be to study outdoors of a textbook. I actually can not thank Ava Robotics and Marcio and Youssef for this chance.” – Caitlin

“I spent my summer time working as an intern at Ava Robotics. Whereas there I work on many various tasks, juggling totally different duties. A few of them had been setting up wire kits for the brand new robots they’re on the brink of ship and working many assessments for proper operate. I discovered many abilities that I might have been capable of study with out this hands-on expertise like downside fixing, professionalism, time administration, and management. Not solely that, I discovered how an workplace runs and what it’s prefer to work as an engineer.” – Lucy