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Promoting Accessible Mathematics in Panama
No full textBorn in Panama but reaching classrooms worldwide, FUNDAPROMAT turns math into carnivals of curiosity, where equations juggle, puzzles perform, and learners leave smiling. Its challenge was not proving that joy exists; but showing sponsors that joy has value. The goal of this project was to craft a fundraising strategy that ties FUNDAPROMAT to long-term financiers needed for growth. To realize this goal, we surveyed 286 learners, spoke with marketing professionals, sponsors, and advisors, and observed FUNDAPROMAT events where problem solving felt more like play. The project revealed that sponsorships are built on trust, endure when mutually beneficial, reflect corporate CSR agendas, and require FUNDAPROMAT to turn its vibrant events into engines of fundraising
Structural Solutions for Educational Renewal in Panama
No full textStructural instability caused by rainwater erosion threatens communities across Panama, compromising safety and access to education. Fe y Alegría, a Jesuit non-profit committed to educating underserved populations, faces this challenge firsthand. In partnership with Fe y Alegría, our team designed an integrated retaining wall, drainage system, and annex renovation to stabilize their infrastructure and restore educational spaces. Through archival research, interviews, observational research, and iterative design, we gained expertise in structural engineering and incorporated the key design needs expressed by our sponsor. Our plans expand classroom capacity, mitigate erosion, and strengthen Fe y Alegría’s candidacy for government funding, positioning them for a return to full-time schooling
Hands-on-Training for Next Generation Nanotechnologists
No full textHeidelberg Instruments Nano, a Zürich-based nanolithography company, identified a need for more nanotechnology experts. Their NanoFrazor, a beginner-friendly nanofabrication tool, shows strong potential for education. Our project aimed to develop NanoFrazor-based educational materials for North American undergraduates. Building on a prior IQP, we refined lab exercises and created online resources. Multiple lab sessions and surveys assessed effectiveness. Results showed that applying scaffolding principles, providing hands-on experience, and reinforcing learning are effective strategies for teaching nanofabrication to beginners
Music-Oriented Video Game IQP
No full textTone and emotionality is a fundamental element in music, if not the primary one, and yet it's a topic that is largely overlooked in early music education. They're taught how to play notes and which ones are correct, but very rarely do they get to explore why they feel correct in the first place, any further exploration of the topic being left up to individual discretion. The goal of this project was to explore what it could theoretically look like to introduce and explore the topic of emotion in music to/with young children, taking the form of an activity prototype that utilises the content of an approachable and appealing medium for the target demographic: Video Games
Design of Morph Wings with Tunable Properties for Ultralight Aircrafts
No full textThis project aimed to develop, analyze, and manufacture a small-scale morphing airplane wing. Traditional fixed-wing configurations encounter limitations when trying to adapt to the diverse and dynamic demands of modern flight scenarios. A morphing wing provides improved performance compared to conventional fixed-wing designs, as it has the ability to adapt to various flight conditions, thereby optimizing aerodynamic performance throughout the entire flight envelope. This project investigated simple methods to design and construct a reliable morphing wing to improve aerodynamic properties during takeoff, cruise, and landing. The design used a series of motors and controllers to achieve chordwise bending of an airfoil with a flexible cross section. The morphing wing design was numerically studied using CAD software such as XFLR5, ANSYS Fluent, as well as CAE software like ANSYS. Additionally, it was experimentally tested in a wind tunnel and was manufactured using a Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) 3D printer. This project also investigates the effects of manufacturing parameters on the mechanical performance of the wing. This paper also explored the use of smart materials as a potential actuator to achieve airfoil morphing. Heat reactive shape memory polymers were considered and tested as a motorless actuation method with the aim of further reducing the weight of the wing. The models and experiments demonstrate that the in-flight adaptability of morphing wings contributes not only to improved aerodynamic performance, but also to enhanced maneuverability and energy efficiency of the aircraft
Developing Database of Health-Related IQPs Undertaken at WPI
No full textProject-based learning is a style of teaching that makes learning more engaging for students through real-world projects and team opportunities. Though it was tradition for students to sit and passively listen to a teacher, today, project-based learning engages students to actively solve real-world problems through working as a team. By doing so, students can also develop the ability and experience they will need for their best career outside the classroom. Well represented at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, project-based learning opportunities, as in the Interactive Qualifying Projects (IQPs), have students working in teams to solve problems in science, engineering, and technology. Through the use of developing a website and doing interviews, this project looks at trying to gain a better understanding of health-related IQPs undertaken at WPI since the beginning of project-based learning
Entrance Evolution: Re-envisioning WPI’s Entry Points
No full textThe goal of this project was to improve the visual and physical environment for current and prospective campus community members. A positive campus environment is important to retain current community members and attract new ones. For lasting results, other campuses were compared to WPI to understand proper needs for signage and accessibility within a campus. A unified campus-wide signage package was designed with directional, informational, and identification signage. A 3D model of campus was developed to aid in design. Then, using a weighted decision matrix, the Park Avenue Garage entry point was selected and redesigned. This consisted of a Welcome Center addition, new sidewalk, and additional signage. All designs were developed based on feedback from WPI departments
Esoteric Language Design for Poetic Graphics
No full textProsetta is an esoteric programming language where the source code looks like English text. It provides graphical image output, parametric animation, and console output. Unlike more standard programming languages, Prosetta commands can be hidden within other English words using our unique subsequence system. This project explores the crossover between creative writing and computer programming. We created a custom online editor that is both tailored to the specific language design of Prosetta, and designed to help new users get started quickly and easily. We built bespoke hover tooltips designed specifically for Prosetta’s subsequence system, an autocompletion system, and extensive online documentation. Because of Prosetta’s unique requirements, we also wrote a custom parser in Rust that compiles to WebAssembly so it can run directly in the user’s browser. This lets us take advantage of the design patterns that Rust encourages while still running in the browser. We wrote weekly Prosetta poems to iteratively evaluate our progress, find bugs, and establish areas that the language was lacking in. For evaluation of Prosetta as a whole, we conducted a 10-person user study employing think-aloud protocols and survey methodologies
Creating a Comprehensive Community Outreach Plan for Community Harvest
No full textThis project aimed to develop a community outreach plan for a gleaning program called Community Harvest, which was established by Aloha Harvest, a food rescue organization in Honolulu, Hawai‘i. The purpose of Community Harvest’s outreach is to increase local involvement of volunteers, home growers, and organizational partners throughout the Kāneʻohe community. Through interviews with other gleaning organizations, a marketing expert, and an Aloha Harvest volunteer, the most effective outreach was identified, and marketing materials were developed. Additionally, program information was presented to the Kāneʻohe Rotary Club and Kāneʻohe Neighborhood Board. Finally, a set of data was implemented into a spreadsheet and food map to measure the effectiveness of Community Harvest’s outreach
Creating a Resource Guidebook for Underserved Populations in Cuenca, Ecuador
No full textThis project aimed to increase awareness of essential local services available in Cuenca, Ecuador. In collaboration with The Cuenca Foundation and the Saint Francis Catholic Community of Cuenca, we created a website and paper pamphlet with a list of organizations and the details to utilize them. Our findings emphasize the need for improved outreach and streamlined communication between organizations and those in need. We recommend expanding upon the data pool and listed organizations, as well as fostering stronger community connections to keep this guide relevant