Future scientists showcase their skills at STEM Challenge
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — High school students from across the state gathered Saturday at the University of New Mexico for a unique annual competition.
“It’s been exciting, it’s been fun, it’s been stressful,” said Arabella Richardson, describing the months leading up to the annual New Mexico Governor’s STEM Challenge.
She and her classmates from Mayfield High School have been working on their presentation for several months.
“Eventually we did find something that worked, and we put it all together and it came to be here, and we have it here, and it’s a working prototype,” said fellow Mayfield student Addison Kading.
That working prototype is what they call “auditory braille.” The system uses a small computer called a raspberry PI and RFID stickers embedded in 3D printed chips.
The team from Las Cruces showed off the finished product.
“If you were in this room, the food court is over in that direction, this would be on the wall for the food court, and you tap this device to it,” said Chase Kaufman, tapping the device and causing it to say “University of New Mexico food court.”
“It would tell you which room you’re entering,” Kaufman concluded.
The big question teams had to answer this year is identifying a transportation problem and using tech to solve it.
The Mayfield students’ auditory braille had a specific person in mind.
“We got a new transfer student, (and) actually she’s actually visually impaired,” Arabella Richardson said. “And so, Mayfield High School is about 60 years old, so it doesn’t necessarily have necessary accommodations for those who are visually impaired. So, this idea came about that way.”
Their project was one of 32 entered from schools around the state, judged by industry professionals from places like Los Alamos National Laboratory.
The Mayfield team members said it’s been a long road.
“Lots of stressful days where we’re saying, they were like, ‘This is gonna get done? Is this gonna be a prototype? We’re gonna have a prototype,’” Richardson said. “And we got it. It’s been an exciting roller coaster.”
But it’ll be worth it for a win. Winning teams receive $500 for each student, and have the chance to present their idea to companies and sponsors at a statewide STEM showcase.