Invention Factory 2005

Invention Factory 2005

CRDG and the Archimedes project, under the guidance of Tom Speitel and Neil Scott, have begun work on the Invention Factory, a three-year, $900,000 project funded by the National Science Foundation. The program will teach information technology to teenagers by involving them in interactive hands-on projects designed to improve human-computer interaction for individuals that are disabled or elderly. The project’s objectives include stimulating an interest in science and engineering careers among students currently under-represented in those fields; giving students the skills they need in mathematics and computer programming to allow them to participate in the needs analysis, design, fabrication, and evaluation of devices that meet the needs of the disabled; and demonstrating that students who create technology-based solutions that impact people have substantially greater motivation to pursue careers in engineering.

Students from Dole Middle School, Farrington High School, and Waipahu High School show off the results of their lamp circuit project at their first session of the Invention Factory. The exercise teaches them basic electrical concepts as well as how to solder and use hand tools. Students are so excited when they press the switch and their very own light bulb lights up.

Participating Schools

Academy of the Pacific
Campbell High
Castle High
Farrington High
Kaimukī High
Kalani High
Leilehua High
McKinley High
Mililani High
Moanalua High
Pearl City High
Roosevelt High
Waialua High
Wai‘anae High