What better way to engage kids in learning STEM concepts than to have them build their own robots! ? USD Engineering 101 students together with inner city Catholic school middle schoolers are set to push the limits with this innovative project!

1. USD Shiley-Marcos School of Engineering
Engineering 101 Community Project, Fall 2015
A collaborative effort between SMSE engineering students and OLSH
middle school kids to co-develop 21st Century robotic kits with language-
neutral learning aides. We will immerse into our community over six
weeks to develop engineering skills while providing inspiration and
resources that could increase the 65% high school graduation rate and
address the 80% poverty rate in San Diego’s most ethnically diverse
neighborhood. Our vision is to begin the process of developing 21st
Century STEM kits and learning aides valuable enough for any school yet
affordable enough for every school in an effort to foster Peace & Justice
through equitable education.

2. USD is a Roman Catholic University charted in 1949.
USD’s Mission & Values include academic excellence
to serve local and international communities,
compassionate service, global competency, and
fostering Peace & Justice. SMSE is a school formed in
2013 but with roots as a department in USD with
national recognition. SMSE has a goal to become
the world’s leading engineering program by
engaging in an authentic engineering education
including compassionate service and multi-
disciplinary collaboration. Learning objectives of the
freshmen-level, Engineering 101 class include
developing teamwork skills, using iteration in a
design process, and expressing designs in multiple
formats to a diverse audience.
OLSH the 2nd oldest Catholic School in SD, formed in
City Heights in 1924. Demographics changed and
City Heights became the most ethnically diverse
neighborhood in San Diego, with >50 languages
spoken, the highest crime rate in SD, and a median
household income of under $20,000. OLSH
continues to serve as a K-8 Title 1 school with 80%
of families below poverty line, ~12 languages
spoken with only 5% speaking English at home. The
high school graduation rate is 65%. OLSH has
motivated kids and a dedicated staff but limited
resources and declining revenue. Despite these
challenges, the staff has created a nurturing
environment, STEM and Engineering clubs, Art
projects, and entrepreneurship programs

3. Each day is 2:30pm – 4:30pm
Nov 3 Tentative introductions
Nov 10 Co-Development
Nov 17 Co-development
Dec 1 Test Prototypes
Dec 8 Final Deliverables
Tentative visit to USD by OLSH
Nov 12 or Nov 19 for Laser Cutting
Provided by USD Ministry
Provided by USD Ministry
SMSE students
• Conduct classes & collaborate on-site at OLSH
• Develop robot prototypes and language-neutral
learning aides to leave with OLSH Engineering
(STEM) club.
OLSH students
• Visit USD to explore what it’s like at a university.
• Provide user-feedback to improve learning
aides for 10-12 year old English language
learners

4. SMSE Arduino Concept-Car to Prototype
• Uses “Arduino”. What’s an Arduino? Glad you asked!
Arduino are open-source micro-controllers that interact
with the physical world without needing a computer
after initial programing, allowing anyone unlimited
opportunities for creative products after basic skills are
understood. They are free-ish (~$30). Here’s what we’re
doing to learn (and teach) the potential of this global
resource:
Why Provide Arduino Kits to Middle School Students?
• Empowerment through equitable access to 21st Century skills
• Global competency – some countries are providing micro-
controllers to all 10-12 y/olds to develop software skills
• Applications are unlimited after learning basic technology
Concept Car
English-Dependent Online
Resources & Tutorials
Arduino
Language-Neutral “how-to” guides for
Arduino basics validated by OLSH students
Automated food systems to reduce
water usage and feed a growing
world population
Interactive music and
art projects to
encourage creativity
Fun toys that teach STEM
and facilitate individual
innovation for self-
empowerment through
entrepreneurship
Interactive mobility and
medical aides
Arduino-Controlled
Prototype of Concept Car

5. How to help?
• Spread positive energy, encouragement, and compassion so that others see the
connectivity of our world and the importance of service-based learning
• Share your time & desire to create something unknown just yet
• Engineering Club, Tuesdays, 2:45pm-4pm at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart
• 4106 42nd Street San Diego, California 92105
• Phone: (619) 284-1715
• Resources
• Arduino kits, STEAM tools, supplies, or instruction
• Funding & Invested Partnerships – help create a community-driven, socially responsible,
sustainable business that could empower millions of kids to compete in the 21st Century.
• Network, connect, collaborate
• How do we create a mutually beneficial, long-term sustainable, collaborative network in our
community?
• Contact
• Jason Partin, Shiley-Marcos School of Engineering, jpartin@sandiego.edu
• Christina Alton, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, principal@olshsd.com