My capstone project is a combination of my love for nature and engineering. I knew I wanted to do something, not only to help out the environment but also inspire people to do the same. I settled on creating nesting shelves for birds like robins. I researched the needs of different bird species and their various nesting needs before deciding to target robins. I purchased a plank of pine from Home Depot and, with the guidance of Mr. Kamal, cut and fashioned it into my nesting shelf. Along the way in my free time, I created an educational pamphlet to inform people on the importance of native birds and their importance in their ecosystems.

For my capstone project, I decided to combine engineering with my passion for the gym by making a lifting bench for working out. I started my capstone by researching workout benches that were both machine-made and man-made. I first looked at some that were professionally built like you would find at a gym. I then looked at some workout benches other people had made themselves at home. While looking at both types I took notes on the details I wanted to include in my bench and the aspects I wanted to avoid. After compiling a list I used Fusion 360 to create my first design. After planning everything out I acquired the metal needed to construct the frame. I sought out the help of a family friend who has a lot of equipment in his garage. He was first able to help me cut the metal to the correct size and angles to join them together. Afterward, he taught me how to use the welding equipment he had and assisted me in welding parts of the frame together. I then drilled some holes to connect the remaining moving parts before painting it black. To make the seats I cut out some plywood, covered it with a cloth, and filled it with foam padding. It was a lot of fun learning to work with a new material and I’m glad I tried something new.

Link to slideshow: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1Wc1TI1aXQ-hWred0ZA1TSrOtqsbnF5WCB6INXvzcCug/edit?usp=sharing

Link to bibliography: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1eaTYutKaiN1ovwJNy0lNcCqrBGLP50dMFL5PLNbsTFg/edit?usp=sharing

For my capstone, I created Certification Projects, which are projects you complete in order to get certified on a given tool in the engineering shop. The four projects I made were: make a ring on the lathe, make dice on the mill, make a custom cut-out on the water jet, and make an LED light on the CNC Router. Each project is accompanied by a detailed set of instructions. Each project must also have a teacher or student mentor that can teach the project. After creating these projects and training individuals to teach them, I presented the projects to the sophomore, junior, and senior engineers. Each student picked the project they most wanted to do. For the next two months, all the CTE engineers met four times a week to work on their project. The Certification Projects will remain in the engineering curriculum for future years to come.

The thought of putting my own creativity that I use on projects outside of school was intriguing. The idea I committed to for my capstone project was a ‘Memories Chest’. The basic design was a chest that would be used to store memorable things, and it was a gift for my mom. It revolved around the engineering shop, and the tool my project was made possible by was the laser printer, which I was also really excited to use. At first, I thought about hand making the chest, but with research, I had to keep in consideration time and how difficult it would be. After laser cutting, making the chest was like a puzzle. It was interesting and fun to be handy and figure out the best way to put it together. I did accomplish getting the design I wanted at the end of the process, and it was like a clean canvas to work on further.

Annotated Bibliography: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Xgz-K1R79SHOlu12_50bmr4iHrlYH8-NCpvQuMNkGH0/edit?usp=sharing

This capstone project involved mentoring two FIRST LEGO League (FLL) teams, guiding them through the process of project development and presentation. My role included organizing out-of-school sessions to work on mini-projects, such as creating custom banners and presentation slides, and ensuring the teams were well-prepared for competition late in the spring. Through this experience, I gained insights into leadership, communication, problem-solving, and project management. I learned the importance of patience and adaptability while keeping a collaborative and innovative environment for the students, just like we do at SLA, and using the core values to the best of my abilities. Reflecting on the experience, I identified several areas for improvement, such as initiating planning and organization earlier, incorporating more team-building activities, seeking additional mentorship training, and implementing regular feedback sessions for each of the kids and the slides that we had to go over. These adjustments could enhance the mentoring process, ensuring even better outcomes for future teams like mine that I helped out this year. My involvement in this capstone project not only improved my own skills and knowledge but also had a positive impact on my school. By promoting STEM education, encouraging teamwork, and leading by example, I helped create a culture of collaboration. The resources created during the project, such as custom banners and refined presentation materials, serve as valuable assets for future FLL participants. Overall, doing this capstone project improved my understanding of FLL mentoring, showing the importance of support, creativity, and resilience in guiding young learners. The experience of effective mentorship helps shape the next generation of innovators and leaders.

This Link Is my Final Website for people who want to know more about my project and the FLL community, whether you’re just getting started or even if you don’t know what FLL is ! https://sites.google.com/scienceleadership.org/sunnyscapstonesla/home

This Is my Annotated bibliography, that shows the resources I used before starting mentoring https://docs.google.com/document/d/1KxHVIfgzjfdj4DZycSfnIq9nsFKzi2LHyt-MtYWzYXE/edit?usp=sharing

Since September I have been researching radios and how they work. I have managed to learn enough to build a fully functional radio with parts I got from the CTE Engineering room or older radios I had in my house. I mainly researched the components found in a radio, specifically their purpose. I also had to look at the different types of radios I could make because many schematics had drastic changes such as the number of transistors or whether or not it had a variable capacitor. I found out how hard this project was whenever I would get stuck in situations where I had no clue what went wrong. With my little to no experience, this happened a lot and I would be stuck just hearing static for days, but with the help of my mentors, I overcame those situations and completed my capstone.

I had a reason to make this more than a capstone and that was to make a gift for my grandpa who has worked with radios his entire life. Through the experience of learning about radios, I know what it was like for him to work on such complex circuits. At the end of this long journey, I am proud of all the work I have put into making something that is useful but also something that means a lot to my grandpa, and seeing him know I got into something he is into making this project worth every minute.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gACJ2SLRx-vZEdevmMRvqYPS75JHLMG9_9KtrFyolIE/edit?usp=sharing

For the past few months, I’ve been using the SLA Engineering Shop to create and distribute necessities valuable for animal refugees in Philadelphia. The city reigns to give more opportunities for pet owners, but I wanted to use this project to motivate others about animals as a symbol of love and hope. Last year, I lost my dog, unfortunately, and it’s been eating away at me to realize in our last moments together, I couldn’t provide her greater happiness. Pets deserve whatever in their heart is loving, and for that, I wanted to remark on my work using the SLA Engineering Shop to finalize my gifts that invite emotional input. Throughout this project, I began donating necessities like Dog Food, Cat Food, Wipes, and Bedding to Animal Refugee Shelters in Center City and South Philadelphia. While going along with those requests — I began creating my shop designs like 3D Dog Collars, Canister Holders, and a Cat Toy Box! For testing my models, my friends helped me experiment with my items with their pets.

As I finished my last contributions, I am proud of how much I shipped off by hand to the shelters. Not only was I able to help provide for city animals, but I got to meet new people who volunteered at these refuges. I wouldn’t have been able to get far without their acceptance of my donations. I’m glad they were the first to see it, as I am for lifting their spirits by helping these animals!

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1-Evc-AeIgvVABXOM5RGF-yXQDY1g-Yji?usp=drive_link

Link to my research paper: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UvJzpZVXcmHOo2spzwKfZbein4YG5FfM/view?usp=drive_link

Link to the website I coded (site doesn’t work well on a phone, please access on a computer): https://capstone-nine-mu.vercel.app/

Bibliography: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1UCPA3__f5rflnCieB2efGecUzY5PGxRscATbTmYvCD8/edit?usp=sharing

For my Capstone I wrote a research paper about client-centered public defense. Client-centered public defense is when public defenders - lawyers who represent defendants who cannot afford a private attorney - view their obligation to their client as more than just resolving the client’s legal case. Client-centered defense involves forming a relationship with the client and addressing their needs and desires beyond the criminal case. To complete this paper, I spent the majority of the school-year doing research. I read five books and a number of articles related to this topic. I chose this project in part because I wanted to get more practice writing research papers before college. I ended up learning a lot both about researching and writing a paper as well as the American criminal justice system. My paper discusses some of the ways that the criminal justice system is failing defendants, but also how client-centered representation might address some of these problems.

After finishing my paper, I decided that I wanted to share what I had learned both about writing a paper and the criminal justice system while doing a little more learning. I eventually decided to code a website from scratch to share this information and get experience coding. Before this I had only created basic coding projects, so for the base of my website, I followed along with a tutorial. Once I had a functional website I changed and expanded some of the code to create a unique site that shares what I learned.

For My Capstone I created a live edge side table. These tables are special because they are generally made of one continuous slab of wood and sometimes the edge of the table is the actual edge of the tree. I knew I wanted to make something with my hands and because I am part of the SLA CTE engineering program I have access to the engineering shop. The Process for making a table like this started with creating engineering drawings to flush out your vision for the piece. Next I found a beautiful black walnut slab in a local lumber yard. I quickly got to work cleaning up the wood, removing dead wood, bark, and milling it so it was flat. Large slabs of wood almost always have cracks and holes which I’m choosing to fill with a black epoxy resin. The next step is to cut the slab down to the desired table size. In my case I wanted to leave one of the edges untouched to save the natural feel of the piece. Next is a slow grueling process of sanding the table in preparation for applying a finish. The finish I’m choosing to put on my piece is a Rubio monocoat, it provides protection while also looking incredible. The last step is to attach the legs, this can be done using threaded inserts, I chose to order black steel legs which will compliment the black epoxy running through the piece.

Through this capstone I learned an incredible amount about woodworking and some of the woodworking processes required to make a live edge epoxy table. It also opened a room for personal growth, learning about how I personally react and tackle big projects.

For my capstone project, I designed a Hidden Storage Bench. This bench can be used as a seating area and a storage place, with a large compartment hidden to store items like bats, plates, and baseballs. I created this capstone to showcase the skills and knowledge I gained over three years in the CTE Engineering Program, focusing on woodworking to challenge myself and improve my skills. I aimed to address a need in my baseball community, the Anderson Monarchs, and apply engineering skills to real-world applications. The project began with an inquiry into maximizing hidden storage while meeting space constraints. I researched designs, materials, and processes, created 3D CAD models, and sourced materials with the help of funding from Braskem. The construction involved precise measuring, cutting, and assembly, although I faced challenges such as warped wood and stability issues I overcame them with the help of peers and mentors. I documented my process and prepared a presentation to showcase my project. I learned valuable lessons in project management, problem-solving, and woodworking. This experience taught me the importance of perseverance and adaptability.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1SewsaH8Vyh1TI5qGFbZARKm5JVVABMFmmeuva57qjsc/edit?usp=sharing