Blog 0: Getting Started

Hello, and welcome to the first blog post of my senior project.

I have always loved building things, especially robots. What began as simple curiosity quickly turned into a habit of designing, testing, failing, and trying again. Through FIRST robotics and personal projects, I learned that engineering is not about getting everything right the first time. It is about persistence, patience, and learning from mistakes. Those lessons directly shaped this project.

For the past two summers, I have been mentoring students not only on my team but also outside of it, teaching younger students through hands-on robotics programs and community workshops. Watching students move from following instructions to confidently experimenting, troubleshooting, and iterating has reinforced my belief that STEM education should prioritize curiosity and persistence over perfection.

Why This Project Matters

This year, I am developing a hands-on mechanical engineering robotics kit for younger students. Many educational kits rely on pre-assembled parts and strict instructions. While helpful, these kits often limit creativity and problem-solving.

My goal is different. I want students to design, build, wire, and program a robot themselves. I want them to experience engineering as a connected process, not a checklist. By doing so, students can build confidence through real problem-solving instead of following steps.

The Robot and the Curriculum

At the center of this project is a spider-type robot. I designed it using custom 3D-printed mechanical parts and a custom circuit board. Each design choice focuses on low cost, durability, and ease of assembly.

Alongside the hardware, I am creating a modular curriculum. It introduces CAD design, 3D printing, basic electronics, and programming. The curriculum encourages experimentation through open-ended challenges.

Current Progress

So far, I have completed all major mechanical systems for the robot. I have also begun programming and curriculum development. Recently, I passed my project defense and moved into the testing and refinement phase.

Stay tuned as I continue building, testing, and learning along the way!