48440 research outputs found
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Developing an After-School Program for Kids in Imizamo Yethu
No full textIn Imizamo Yethu, children face risk factors due to a lack of supervision. We partnered with our sponsor, UCT Professor Gundo Maswime, to establish a structured after-school program in the local library to support social and academic development. Using literature, interviews, observations, and participatory action research, we gathered data to create an effective program. We established a Steering Committee, began developing Ubumbano Library as an NPO, and wrote a 3-year library proposal and after-school plans for the Committee and teachers
Cataloguing the Convents and Scuole of Venice and the Lagoon
No full textThis project was sponsored by SerenDPT and the Venice Project Center of Worcester Polytechnic Institute, whose missions are to combat the depopulation of Venice through stimulating the job market and to preserve the history of Venice, respectively. The project aimed to connect the historic religious buildings of convents and scuole to the depopulation and tourism of Venice. We achieved this through field data collection of 66 convents and 63 scuola buildings and the creation of spreadsheet databases. We concluded that there has been an increase in tourism-related building uses since WPI student research teams last studied the convents and scuole of Venice. Through our deliverables, including web applications and GIS maps, the current uses of these buildings are now publicly available
Estimating Residential Occupancy for the Buildings of Venice
No full textVenice faces economic pressure from high levels of tourism, and meeting these demands reduces the availability of residential housing and services, ultimately increasing the cost of living. Partnering with SerenDPT, this project organized and verified Venetian building information through data management and field validation to estimate residential occupancy. We used a mixed-methods approach, drawing on online sources such as city-provided water usage data, census data, and Airbnb-style listings, and validated these estimates against field observations of occupancy proxies. By making our project methods and datasets transparent and intuitive, we provided stakeholders with information that can be adapted and expanded as Venice continues evolving
Expediting Economic Evolution: A VC Database & Report for NM
No full textNew Mexico’s economy is reliant on oil extraction, making the state vulnerable to fluctuations in price. To diversify the economy, we are advocating for increased investment in non-oil sectors, particularly via startups. However, information that investors need to make sound decisions is often hard to obtain or is inaccurate. To address the information gap, we have developed a venture capital report and investment database. To ensure that the resources contained the best information and features, we conducted interviews and collected data. The website offers queryable data, with the ability for the community to contribute. The report serves to provide insights into the state’s investment landscape. Through these deliverables and insights, we seek to strengthen investment in the state
Simulating Humanoid Robot Balance and Chess Capabilities
No full textThis paper marks the latest advancement of a 3D-printed humanoid platform from fragmented scripts to a modular research system. The primary outcomes include a transition to task-space inverse kinematics using the IKPy library, allowing for smoother locomotion and precise manipulation. Project accomplishments include sensor fusion for bipedal stability and a state-machine-driven chess-playing framework featuring advanced protocols. Currently, there remain challenges with mechanical slack and gripper designs. However, this work establishes a scalable software architecture essential for deploying accessible humanoid caregivers in assisted living facilities and further advancing the project's goals
Herd Highlights, Issue 27, April 3, 2025
No full textBi-weekly email newsletter for undergraduate and graduate students created by WP
Evaluating the Feasibility of Modular Solar Powered Desalination for Farms in Morocco
No full textThis project assessed the feasibility of a prototype solar powered desalination unit developed by the Université Internationale de Rabat for combating water scarcity on Moroccan farms. We interviewed 3 farmers in the Meknes-Khemisset area and 4 experts in the fields of controls engineering and water management to understand their attitudes towards the utility of the prototype for addressing the effects of prolonged drought on agricultural practices. We analyzed these results using the SWOT framework and used them to create a feasibility study of the prototype with recommendations for further development. We determined that in situations where centralized desalination is suboptimal, such as in remote areas or when processing harsh water feeds, the prototype is feasible
Researching and Designing a Data-Sharing Ecosystem for Beekeeping Innovation
No full textBeekeeping must innovate using data-driven solutions to overcome an increasing array of environmental challenges. Globally, climate change has brought about destruction to bee species through a multifront battle of irregular seasons, invasive pests, and ravaged environments. Some beekeepers have begun to adapt to these challenges by utilizing digital sensors to better monitor and assess their beehives. This practice, known as precision beekeeping, is dependent on large amounts of accurate data. To help German beekeepers more effectively collect and share this data, our team collaborated with Hivesound, a German company specializing in this field. Together, we determined the essential features and requirements this platform would need. To develop the foundation for this platform, we conducted a scholarly review of existing data-sharing platforms, as well as surveyed experienced beekeepers about their wants and needs for such a platform. Additionally, we interviewed bee researchers and experts who work across multiple sectors to understand the practical requirements of developing this platform. Based on this research, we produced two proposals for Hivesound: a user policy plan and an anonymization plan. Our user policy plan provides details about how to register sensors, use personal data, and delete or upload sensor data. This policy plan also addresses beekeepers’ location tracking concerns and provides enough information for researchers to validate data. Our anonymization plan assigns techniques to each category of collected personally identifiable information, which we organized by risk level and necessity to researchers; the plan concludes with a visualization of how our platform would anonymize beekeepers' data. With these two deliverables, Hivesound will be able to develop a platform for beekeepers that will ensure quality and protect user data
Addressing Gender Dynamics in Peer Interactions in STEM Classrooms
No full textScience, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) has always been and continues to be a male-dominated field, with little female representation. Mechanical Engineering and Physics are two examples of disciplines within the STEM field that continue to hold barriers that exist to women and gender minorities. The purpose of this project is to better understand, analyze, and potentially break the barriers that exist. Gaining a better understanding of the experiences undergraduate women face with peers will aid in finding a solution to break these barriers. Our research consisted of 24 one-on-one interviews conducted with undergraduate and a select few of recent alumni. 12 Mechanical Engineering majors, and 12 Physics majors were interviewed from Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI). With the use of inductive and deductive coding methods, many themes emerged through the analysis of the interview transcripts. The main themes that surfaced consisted around topics such as, having women-related mentors enhance women’s experiences in STEM, positive high school experiences guide decisions to pursue STEM in college, imposter syndrome continues to be an ongoing challenge within STEM classrooms, the several challenges women and gender minorities face, and the impact of positive communities within clubs or departments. Based on the results, recommendations were created to aid a future implementation method in STEM classrooms. Our research has proved the barriers women and gender minorities in STEM face, and how through recommendations and implementation methods, these challenges can be suppressed
Womanufacturing: Creating a Production Line to Empower Migrant Women
No full textMigrant, refugee, and asylum-seeking women in Australia often struggle to find employment due to a lack of relevant job skills and familial responsibilities. To help address this, we partnered with SisterWorks—a non-profit social enterprise focused on migrant women in Victoria—to create a manufacturing assembly line that provides job training and new opportunities for these women, called Sisters. The line produces safety components called wheel shunts for use on Melbourne’s tram network. This involved validating our shunt designs, sourcing equipment and materials, assembling the stations, and training Sisters. We also worked with a Toyota representative to evaluate efficiency, ergonomics, and mitigate possible safety risks. After this process, we left SisterWorks with a fully operational line to produce over $90,000 in annual revenue, while empowering Sisters with meaningful work experience. We strive to support positive change in these women’s lives by helping them gain confidence, independence, and employable skills