UMD Cyber-Physical Systems Engineering: Promoting Women in STEM (sponsored)

In a world where technology evolves by the minute, the future belongs to those who dare to dream, innovate, and break barriers. This past summer, the University of Maryland, College Park’s A. James Clark School of Engineering’s Cyber-Physical Systems Engineering (CPSE) program unveiled their inaugural “Jumpstart your Engineering Career ” summer program. The Jumpstart program was a five-week open application summer initiative that encouraged engagement from Montgomery County Public School (MCPS) students and Montgomery College (MC) community college students over the summer.  This program was designed to give students a sneak peak into the field of Cyber-Physical Systems Engineering and provided insight into the hands-on learning environment students would experience if they were to join the CPSE program located at the Universities at Shady Grove.

Students were divided into groups based on their interests and unique skills (software, microelectronics, coding, programming, etc.).  Each group’s goal was to identify a problem in their lives, environment, or society, and make a prototype to help resolve that problem.   In those five weeks, the students conceived projects, designs, and future solutions.  They received access to real-time training and technology in electronics, mechanical 3-D drawing and printing, C-programming, python, computer vision, machine learning, and MQTT protocols used throughout the internet of things.  As a result of this hands-on approach, students produced working prototypes within a short timeframe that with slight modification could be scaled commercially.

Twenty-four students were accepted into the Jumpstart Summer Program, and out of those twenty-four students, only three were young women. These women in STEM included Monica Escalante, Sushma Katta, and Abigail Zhang. At time of writing, Monica was a rising sophomore at Montgomery College. Her interests included studying complex math and science. Sushma, a rising junior from Richard Montgomery, got into STEM at a young age, learning how various gadgets worked and the many ways they could be assembled. Abigail, a rising senior from Winston Churchill High School, hopes to further her studies in the field of electrical engineering. Abigail also mentioned that growing up, she always valued STEM initiatives. As she gets older, she hopes to take more hands-on technology courses, like those offered through the UMD CPSE program.

The road for these young women in STEM wasn’t without its challenges. Growing up, they often found themselves the only female presence on various teams, struggling to make their voices heard in male-dominated environments. Doubts were cast upon their abilities, but those doubts only fueled their determination to rise above it all and prove others wrong.

The prototype that the girls made with their team member, Zaydan Remtulla, was called the  “Transplant (Translate for Plants) Automated Horticulture Maintenance System,” which used an array of various sensors to detect the health of plants as actuators were used to mitigate less than ideal growing conditions.  These sensors and actuators ensured that the plants received adequate light, water, and nutrients.  Also included was a camera to monitor the plants and the development of a communication app. These future engineers specifically wanted to make this prototype because they often forget to water their own plants and wanted to know how much water their plants truly needed to autonomously prosper.

At the end of the UMD Jumpstart summer program,  these women and their Transplant system had won first place in the program’s first-ever prototype competition. This group wanted to remind other women in STEM that “girls do rule!”. And through dedication, passion, and belief in yourself, anything is possible. Way to go to Monica, Sushma, Abigail, and Zaydan!

This program is a great option for Montgomery College graduates looking to transfer. It equips them with the knowledge and skills needed to not just survive but thrive in a competitive field.  If you or someone you know is interested, whether they’re looking for a job in industry or to further their education, the CPSE program provides the knowledge and skills needed to succeed.

Interested in learning more? Visit: https://shadygrove.ece.umd.edu and find them on social media @umdcpse