Winning 1st place at NYSEF for designing a remote, alternative energy-powered charging station, harnessing renewable energy sources to solve problems in remote areas. I realized the potential of engineering to transform ideas into tangible solutions that could change how we interact with the world. That win was the catalyst, empowering me to innovate and redefine what I thought was possible.

I developed a rover designed to clean algae from a community pond, promoting healthier aquatic ecosystems. Equipped with sensors and a filtration system, the rover navigates underwater, collecting algae without disturbing the natural habitat. This project allowed me to explore robotics and environmental sustainability, combining technical innovation with solving a real-world ecological issue.

Soon, I found myself diving deeper into autonomous systems, developing prototypes that could operate independently, harnessing renewable energy sources to solve problems in remote areas.

Together with 80 team members from around the world at a STEM camp, my team built an outdoor bread oven powered by a bicycle. We used 3D-printed parts to mill and grind grain into flour, creating a ‘pedal-bakery’ that showed me how engineering could tackle food inequity with human-powered solutions.