​This site contains Engineering and Coding projects being developed for middle and high school students.  Welcome!
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Engineering and Computer Science projects are key ways for students to learn the skills that will serve them as adults.
  • Building mechanisms has kids thinking in three dimensions, and using tools to manipulate materials​.
  • Technical drawing gives kids the skills to accurately describe the physical world..
  • Coding encourages logical thinking and attention to detail, then abstraction, and a data-based way of tackling problems.  
  • Electronics projects can be challenging to understand, as electricity cannot be seen, and we must rely on abstract engineering models
  • Robotics can bring it all together, with lots of technical skills embedded in fun and competition. 
Boston Leadership Institute 2018 Engineering Research course 

OPTION 1: SHARK TANK
  • Product Presentation
  • Pitch Product
  • Ask for $$ for
    • Staff
    • Facility
    • Materials
  • Shark Panel
OPTION 2: TECHNOLOGY SHOWCASE
  • Show off something cool you built and want to share
  • What does it do? Demonstration
  • How It Works
  • Ideas for future improvements
OPTION 3: PRIVATE INTERVIEW
******************** Project Pages *************************

Electronics Activities and Resources

Get familiar with electronic components, tools, and materials.  Learn and apply circuit principles using a variety of components and wiring techniques.

Light-Me-Up Tiles 

Highlight yourself and get started in electronics by making a unique light-up tile with LEDs.
The tiles stick to a magnetic board and get power through copper tape.

BumpBots

This creature scurries across a surface and changes direction when it bumps into a wall.  Design your own character and build it from scratch.

Audio Amplifier with Aux cable

Build a personal audio amplifier for your phone, computer or MP3 player

Robot Construction

LightBot

Assemble the starter robot chassis.  Design and build your own mounting pieces to hold computer, batteries, sensors, and actuators as you like.

Coding Tutorials 

Create code for the Arduino.  Learn the IDE,  good coding practices and debugging. Investigations and starter code for all sensors and acutators provided in the course.

Programming and Algorithms

Program your robot to follow a line, run away from the light, or avoid obstacles. Create your own challenges and plan out the logic before coding.

3D Modeling and Printing

Get started in 3D design to make parts for your robots.
Boston Leadership Institute 2016 Engineering Research course 

Robotic Sailboats

Program and sail instrumented radio-control sailboats.  Learn the basic principles of sailing, then turn them into algorithms to control the sailboat. 

Putt Putt Boats

 Build a candle-powered steam engine with simple materials.  Design a boat to hold the engine and sail on its own.

Stereo Amplifier

 Build a portable stereo speaker set with custom-designed packaging