Kalani Hausman
of College Station, TX

Description

I have always loved technology and what it makes possible, so take every opportunity to share ideas and new technologies with my students and kids in workshops, volunteering my time because these kids will build the future in the years ahead!

I am an Author, Educator, InfoTech/InfoSec professional and Researcher in high-performance computing, STEM education (http://su.pr/18wXrl), uses of technology for persons with disabling conditions, cyber terrorism, alternative enegy systems (http://rkthb.co/7507), and sustainable technology. I have spent much of my life exploring the many amazing technologies that continue to emerge and now get the chance to pass my love of STEM topics and sustainable energy systems on to the next generation in turn by conducting workshops in the local area.

Through my STEMulate Learning program (http://STEMulate.org), I regularly conduct workshops with public schools, the University and youth organizations like the Boy Scouts on STEM-related subjects. During my Inventing merit badge classes conducted at the Texas A&M University Merit Badge University (MBU), I displayed one of the flexible solar panels from my small-scale tests and the boys came up with dozens of scout-specific uses for a roll-up solar panels in camping and for both aerial and submerged uses providing electrical power while "leaving no trace" as per the Scouting outdoor guidelines!

During the MBU, I had the opportunity to teach classes in Electricity, Electronics, and two Inventing sessions - showing off donated materials and equipment from the STEMulate Learning workshops. More than 150 boys, along with their parents and educators, were thrilled at the potential in materials like the flexible solar panels (Scouts wanted to build tents of the material to power an air-conditioner), shape-memory "muscle-wire" for robotics without motors, but the real hits were the Arduino microprocessor for robot controls and the 3D printed materials samples. Once we started talking about the future of 3D printers and other forms of rapid prototyping, the enthusiasm of Scouts and adults present could not be contained! Printed houses, printable robots, and all types of printable equipment for astronauts in space going to Mars took up the bulk of our time around Merit Badge requirements.

The students and kids in my classes are the source of my two #SciFund projects, and I hope you will join me as we create a completely-new sustainable way to produce power without any environmental impact and to develop a personalized robotics course to build STEM interest in young boys and girls!

My 2012 #SciFund Projects:

http://www.rockethub.com/projects/7377-stemulate-learning-using-personalized-robots/

http://www.rockethub.com/projects/7507-green-power-from-solar-seaweed/

• Personal Site: http://kkhausman.com/
• FaceBook: http://www.facebook.com/kkhausman
• LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/kkhausman
• Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/kkhausman (@KKHausman)
• Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/kkhausman
• Tumblr: http://kkhausman.tumblr.com/
• WordPress: http://kkhausman.wordpress.com/

My STEMulate Learning site for #SciFund Projects

• Project Site: http://STEMulate.Org
• Project Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/STEMulateOrg (@StemulateOrg)
• Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/STEMulateOrg

Notes:

1. Due to the attention from #SciFund participation, MakerBot Education (curriculum.makerbot.com) is providing a Replicator 3D Printer for my research! They will be sharing my results and designs for educators all over the world! My research would not have this opportunity without your support and enthusiasm in #SciFund! #SciFund Round 2 will now focus on the next step in my research - the electronics that will transform the 3D printed robot designs into mobile, active robot instruments of learning!
2. As in my Round 1 #SciFund project, all gifts will go towards materials and equipment alone. All expenditures will be detailed on my website (STEMulate.org) so that you will see exactly what your support provides - just as with my Round 1 project (http://su.pr/A6jJCx).
3. All involvement by Boy Scouts has been and will continue to be managed under the requirements for safety and two-deep adult supervision at all times.
4. The power levels provided by submerged solar panels are low-voltage and not harmful to workshop participants or to any animals swimming nearby.
5. All personalized robot designs will be shared without charge using open-source 3D files so that they can be printed by teachers using any standard 3D Printer.