Student Teams Win Cash Prizes at Innovate to Grow

The winners of this year’s Innovate to Grow competition have been announced.

The event includes three components: The Mobile App Challenge, the Capstone competition for senior Innovation and Design Clinic teams and the Engineering Service Learning competition for undergraduate teams.

Two prizes are given for Capstone teams. The winners receive $1,000 each — up to $5,000 or $6,000 per team, depending on the number of students on the winning teams.  

The winning Engineering Service Learning team shares $3,000, while Mobile App winners share $5,000.

Mobile App Challenge winner: Switch

Switch is a universal home-operating system. With the Switch app and a Wi-Fi-enabled power outlet, you can easily control your home appliances and devices through your smartphone. Switch promotes energy conservation and health.

Student team members: Matvejs Fostiropuls, Agustin Roldan and Yi Lu

Engineering Service Learning winner: NISE Net

The Nanoscale Informal Science Education Network (NISE Net) team works with local educators to create museum-quality nano-themed activities used by K-12 public educators around the world. The current cellular-transport project merges nanoscience applications with traditional cell biology teaching.

Student team members: Ian Buczko, Reynard In, Angela Macedo, Luke Moore, Elizabeth Mota and Julia Young

Capstone winners: ATLAS and Monitoring Motion System

Team ATLAS (Automated Turbine Lifting Attitude System) designed a method of providing tilt and angular adjustment for the turbine lifting system used at Merced Irrigation District’s New Exchequer Hydroelectric Plant. The team’s modifications reduced installation time and decreased the operator’s injury risk by automating the process as much as possible.

Student team members: Alfredo Aguilera, Lorenzo Booth, Luis Cruz, Barrington Wilson and Derek Dao

The Monitoring Motion System team’s worked with video surveillance company Pelco, by Schneider Electric, on design and analysis resulting in a security camera mount capable of basic pan and tilt motion using cost-effective materials and methods.

Student team members: Garret Allison, Garrett John, William Li and John Harvey Paredes