This summer, I'll be going into my senior year of high school. This of course means I'm starting my college applications, and deciding where I want to study for the next 4 years. When looking through opportunities offered by my target schools, Georgia Tech's summer internship at the Invention Studio caught my eye due to it's access to a large variety of machines and tools, and the ability to work on a research project utilising said machines. Now that I've completed the internship, I can confidently say it was an experience that I'll always cherish and one that I would highly recommend to anyone with a passion for engineering.
If you're only interested in the internship details, feel free to skip this section, but I think my experience living in Atlanta is something I can't ignore.
Since I don't live in Atlanta, I had to take a dorm room near campus for the duration of the internship. The experience of living alone and having to cook and take care of myself was something completely new for me. Due to this, I've developed new habits, skills, and learnt a lot more about myself. After trial and error (and a couple terrible dishes), I've learnt how to cook for myself and plan my meals. I've also taken this time to start going regularly to the gym, something I definitely recommend if your dorm has a provided gym like mine did. Some of the highlights around Atlanta was the Coca-Cola World (some of those flavours suck!), Ponce City Market (incredible food), and catching an Atlanta United football game (I love the stadium). More than all this though, I've developed my values of independence and self-discipline. Navigating these new responsibilities taught me how to manage my time effectively, prioritise my tasks, and embrace the challenges of living on my own.
During the first few weeks of the internship, we were introduced to and trained on a wide range of machines. The tool groups we covered were 3D printers, craftworld (sewing and vinyl stickers), laser cutters, metal room, wood room, waterjet, and circuits. The hands-on experience was unlike anything I had done before. After training on each tool group, we were then tested on them (twice for the metal and wood rooms) to see if we could use them safely on our own. The testing phase was the most difficult part but incredibly rewarding, and it was made easier by the supportive student PIs who guided me through each step. If I had to choose a favorite tool group, it would definetely be the 3D printers. The ability to make anything I wanted just by sending it to a printer is awesome, and I used the 3D printers quite a bit throughout the internship.
Apart from just training on the tool groups, we also got a tour of some of Georgia Tech's more advanced engineering facilities - the Montgomery Machining Mall (MMM) and the AMPF. Here, we got to see some more complex machines like CNC machines and hybrid 3D printers. At the MMM, we were allowed to use the lathes and mills to cut out some metal parts and make a pawn chess piece.
Once the training was complete, I moved on to the next phase: working on my individual project. I chose to design and build an RC Biplane. This project was particularly exciting for me because it allowed me to combine my interest in aerospace with the technical skills I was developing at the Invention Studio. I followed schematics online to laser cut the parts from balsa, and then glued them together using the craftland resources. I also 3D printed a propeller, and used our $100 budget to order piano wire, servos, a motor and transmitters.
On the side, I enjoyed making some side projects to take home for my family and friends. These included a model turbine engine, some 3D printed sculptures, a filament painted album cover, and a laser cut picture of my family in wood. These smaller projects allowed me to experiment with different designs and further hone my skills. It was a fun and creative way to apply what I was learning, and it kept me engaged and motivated throughout the internship while my parts arrived.
Unfortunately, the project faced some delays due to parts and materials arriving far too late to complete anything, however I managed to make substantial progress and learned a lot along the way. At the end of the internship, we showcased our projects with a presentation at the Capstone Design Expo. The expo also had masters students showcasing their capstone projects, and it was inspiring to see what our own ideas could evolve into with more time and resources.
While my RC Biplane project is still a work in progress, I’m excited to continue working on it and to see it through to completion. The skills and knowledge I’ve gained during this internship will undoubtedly play a significant role in my future endeavours, and I’m looking forward to applying them in new and exciting ways.
A big thank you to Georgia Tech, the Invention Studio, the student PIs, and Dr. Amit Jariwala for this incredible opportunity. This experience has solidified my passion for engineering, and I can’t wait to see where this journey takes me next.
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