Magdalini LagoudasRodney BoehmTexas A&M University

Agenda

• Background

• Aggies Invent Overview

• Student Survey

• Project Examples

BackgroundMAKEwithMOTO HP Code-a-thon for Health

Engineering Innovation Center (EIC)20,000 sq-ft Maker Space

Lowering the barrier to Innovation

Pop Up Classes

U-Ignite

Continuum of Innovation

Awareness PracticeLaunching Startups

InventeerUniversity Innovation Fellows

60-70 students

Industry Problems

Mentors Resources

Provide Structure

Developing Solutions to Industry Problems in 48 hours

48 hours - Friday 5pm to Sunday 5pm

Industry Problems (NEED Statements)Theme: Internet of Things

1. Livestock Tracking – “FitBit for a Cow”

2. Medical Patient Environment Tracking in a Clinic

3. Rail Car Shock Detection System

4. Smart Medication Container

5. Package Transportation Shock Tracking System

6. Harvest Energy From Windows to Control Shade

7. Household Appliance Status Monitoring System

8. Tracking and Monitoring System for Portable Equipment

9. Gather Medical Sensor Data From Patients at Home

10.Save Lives by Linking Fire Detectors Placed in Extremely High Density Areas

11. UAV Communication and Cooperation System

60-70 student

s

Industry Problems

Mentors Resources

Provide Structure

Mentors / Resources / Structure

• Mentors– Industry – Faculty – Graduate Students– Staff

• Resources – LOTS of them– Access to a wide range of parts – Access to technical experts in programming– Access to the fabrication facilities

• Structure– Set expectations high for all teams to do their best– Require frequent status updates– Provide positive reinforcement for learning

60-70 students

Industry Problems

Mentors Resources

Provide Structure

Overall Schedule

Friday

Overview of NEED Statements

Team Formation

Identification of Needed Supplies

Project Work Starts

First Project Status Report

Saturday

Project Work Continues

Meeting with Mentors

Two Status Reports

Start Submitting Requests for Fabrication

Start Developing Video and Presentations

Sunday

Project Work Continues

Complete Fabrication

Complete Video

Dry Runs

Final Presentations

Awards

Industry Sponsors

Student Survey Data

• Participants were asked to rate their growth in a five-level Likert-type scale (strongly agree / agree/ not sure/ disagree/ strongly disagree) in their ability to perform in five areas (with multiple questions):– Design Process – Problem Solving Skills– Team Collaboration– Effective Communication– Time Management

• Overall, more than 70% of survey participants responded with strongly agree or agree in all five areas

Aggies Invent - Summary• Offered three times with themes:

– Medical and Wearable Devices– First Responder’s Needs– Internet of Things

• Outcomes– 160+ participants– 32 projects pursued– One Provisional Patent– One Team Continuing With Partner

Developing Solutions to Industry Problems in 48 hours

“The experience afforded me the opportunity to network and establish my own confidence in myself by taking on a challenge that was widely outside my comfort zone”

“I had a blast, and what made all of the time and work worth it, the hours upon end of drafting it and finally assembling it, was walking out at the end of the day with the 1st place title. With that said, everyone walked out of …with a smile on their face, because I know from first-hand experience that everyone had a great time”. 

Backup Slides

Wearable Electronics – NeoConnect

Wearable Electronics – Baby Beanie

Wearable Electronics – Good Baby

Wearable Electronics – Intra Spectrum