SEEKSummer Educational Experience at Kent

Aviation Entrepreneurship

Pre-Engineering Manufacturing

A look at the 2017 experience...

What is SEEK?

SEEK is a summer residential and day program where students can choose to explore one of four areas each week. During these “deep dives” into engineering education and entrepreneurship, students learn from and work with professionals from Wharton, Georgia Tech, University of Connecticut and others.

SEEK programs provide robust opportunities for STEM-oriented students interested in establishing the foundation for further study at high school and beyond. For students enrolled at Kent, it also serves as an excellent springboard for the engineering experiences offered during the regular school year.

Hands-on Learning. Problem Solving. Innovative Thinking.

• 5 SEEK Programs • 3 University Partnerships• 4 field trips• 7 flight hours logged in a Cirrus

224• 2 hiking trips• 2 full Scholarships given by a

Kent Alumnus• 1 new Poster Session during the

July Pre-E session• 2 prototyping techniques (Laser

cutting and 3D Printing)

Programs at a Glance.

What’s Inside?

Aviation Entrepreneurship

Pre-Engineering Manufacturing

Page 4 Page 5

Page 6 Page 7

Plus...SEEK Field Trips............................................................page 8SEEK Keynote Address..................................................page 9SEEK Instructors....................................................pages 10-11

SEEK Aviation

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

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Learning thefundamentals of flight

Learning the details ofhow aircraft fly

Flying Drones! Field Trip!Field Trip!

Flying time atWestchester Airport

Field Trip!Time with the Jet Flight

Simulator

In this six-day program, we touched on many aspects of aviation both in and outside of the classroom. Students learned all about the history of aviation, including early trials, errors, and failures. They learned about today’s machines and the engineering behind what makes them fly (including Bernoulli’s Principle). Students had several opportunities for hands-on experiences both at Kent School and at our partner facilities.

Highlights from the Week

Students work in teams to design and build balsa wood planes, testing for stability and ability to fly long distances.

A student excited about getting to fly a plane on his own at Westchester Airport!

Applying Aerospace Engineering Theory to PracticeStudents applied principles of lift and drag, wing shape, and other physics concepts to create balsa wood gliders.

Practice Makes PerfectStudents have multiple opportunities to learn how to fly during the program. There is a flight simulator in the Pre-Engineering building at Kent which students have access to throughout the day. Students put in extra flight simulation time after lunch or during other free pe-riods. Students also visited and trained on a much larger flight simula-tor, the Falcon 2000 with our partners at Flight Safety International.

Flying HighUndoubtedly the most exciting part of the program is flying a small jet. Students received intensive safety training, including how to do pre-flight checks, understanding meteorology reports, and properly fueling the aircraft. Thanks to our partners: Performance Flight Fly-ing and Westchester County Airport.

Aviation Partners:

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SEEK EntrepreneurshipIn this five-day program, we introduced students to multiple components of creating and running a successful busi-ness. Students touched on eight key areas, gaining knowledge and resources for starting a business from just an idea. Students interacted directly with key personnel from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania to be able to develop their own group proposal for a new potential business to serve the Kent community.

Develop Business

Ideas

Learn the Competitive Environment

Sales & Marketing

Pricing Strategies

Operations and HR

ManagementCost Analysis Budgeting &

AccountingPresentation

Skills

Students presenting their final business plan at the SEEK Program closing ceremony. Students rehearsed 9 times.

Creativity is KeyStudents learned about the importance of thinking outside the box and incorporating lateral thinking and brainstorming into think ses-sions. Lateral thinkers can face cultural, emotional, perceptual, and societal obstacles, but after this week students saw the benefit of the art of lateral thinking in being successful.

Asking the Right QuestionsIn developing “sustaining or disruptive innovations,” one of the most important skills is as simple as asking a good question. Stu-dents learned basic principles of innovation and learned how to ask questions that allowed them to visualize the product throughout the Technology Adoption Life Cycle.

Developing a Business PlanThis year, our creative students brainstormed an idea that flourished into a full-fledged business plan that they presented at the closing cer-emony. This year’s idea was a meal-delivery service run by students, to connect Kent School with local restaurants and business that do not have the means to deliver food to the school. Students answered hard questions from the audience and were able to communicate their idea successfully. Hopefully we’ll see the business soon!

Students celebrate after an intensive week of crafting their own business plan under the guidance of their mentors.Entrepreneurship Partner:

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SEEK Pre-EngineeringIn this five-day exploratory program, students rotated through multiple hands-on projects every day. Each proj-ect touched upon a different discipline of engineering, from environmental engineering to computer science and engineering and everything in between. Students worked individually and in teams not only to learn about different technologies, but also how to communicate them effectively to general audiences.

Pre-Engineering Activities

Prototyping: 3D Printing and Laser Cutting

Renewable Energy: Solar Energy Efficiency Tests

VEX Robotics: Design and Competition

Communication and Presentation Skills

(Poster Session)Light is PowerThe Renewable Energy session, led by Julie Zurolo, focused on solar cells and circuitry. The students began by creating small dye-sensitized solar cells using berry juices which contain anthocyanins that emit electrons when excited by the sun’s rays. They tested the voltage and current generated by their solar cells with digital multimeters, comparing the efficiency and power generated by each juice. Students used a Vernier spectrophotometer to ana-lyze the berry juice’s spectrum of absorption within the range of visible light. In systematically collecting their data, students were able to draw conclusions about the pros and cons of using dye-sensitized solar cells as a source of renewable energy.

Grand ChallengesMost students say that the greatest challenge in the Pre-E program is con-structing a VEX robot. Students worked in pairs to design their robot from scratch. In this year’s challenge, robots needed to pick up and transport cones in the Vex arena in within a given amount of time. Students re-designed and re-tested their robots, completing all iterations of the engineering design process until their results were to their liking.

Becoming Better CommunicatorsEach day, students participated in public speaking and presentation skills. They gave presentations on various topics such as “how-to” lessons and technical presentations about their favorite invention. Students also learned advanced Powerpoint techniques.During the July SEEK Session students used Adobe Idesign software to make their own 24’’ by 36’’ posters summarizing their SEEK experience.

A dye-sensitized solar cell created by a team of students. Students varied layer components to test viability.

Pre-Engineering Partner:

Students used Autodesk Fusion 360 to design their Fidget Spinners. Designs were both 3D printed and laser cut.

Students observing their computer designs come to life with the laser cutter.

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New SEEK Full Scholarships Two students from Lebanon, NH were sponsored by Kent alumnus Dr. John Wasson ’63.

SEEK ManufacturingIn this one- or two-week session, students experienced project based learning as they explored how products are made from start to finish. Students primarily worked in teams on major projects, and competed against each other to test their designs. The challenges require constant evaluation and re-design of physical parts, computer designs, and software controls in order to succeed in this interdisciplinary design exploration.

Virtual DesignAfter dozens of hours of instruction and interaction, students became res-ident experts on the CATIA 3D Computer Aided Design software. With this tool, students immersed themselves in a design-mindset, creating pro-totypes that could not only be imagined and drawn, but physically realized and manufactured. Students learned to problem solve through failure, and how to think ahead to prevent design failures in the future.

Navigating Difficult TerrainStudents learned computer programming using LEGO Mindstorm ro-bots. The goal was to program their robot to navigate over three different terrains: foam, beads, and blocks. The robots also needed to drop off a 3D-printed object, pick up other objects, and return to the starting area - all autonomously. Students learned limitations and advantages to using different types of sensors, and how to combine different sensors for opti-mal use.

Blowing Past the CompetitionIn the second week of the program, students were tasked with designing and constructing wind turbine cars. Students combined their CAD skills with their robot-construction skills to design a small vehicle powered by the wind. Students experimented with different blade shapes and configu-rations to be able to produce the most power. Students successfully de-signed their car to drive into, against, and across the wind.

Exploring Manufacturing

Manufacturing Partner:

Students work in teams to construct the solid body of their LEGO Mindstorm Robot

Students test out viability of different sensors for their autonomous robot

Prototyping and Design with CATIA 3D CAD Software

Design Fabrication with 3D Printing

Design and Re-design with the Wind Turbine Car

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Educational AdventuresThis year, the entire June group went to the Center for Clean Energy Engineering at the University of Connecticut at Storrs. SEEK students learned about how fuel cells work, and the engineering design considerations in making efficient and durable alternative energy sources. Students also learned and compared other energy sources such as wind, solar, and hydroelectric as viable sources of clean energy. Aviation students ventured to New York to fly virtual and real aircraft (see page 4 for more details). The July group visited the CT Science Center, which included a 40-minute live presentation given by Dr. Ballard and his Corps of Exploration aboard the Exploration Vessel (E/V) Nautilus as they explore the bottom of the ocean.

Study BreaksAll students had the opportunity to hike both Kent Falls (1/2 mile) and Bash Bish Falls (2 miles). At Bash Bish, stu-dents could even experience being in two states at the same time. A final trip included mini golfing at Red Rooster Mini Golf in Brewster, NY.

SEEK Field Trips

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SEEK Keynote Address

Speaker BiographyMr. Jaime Edward de Borbon is a Philanthropist and Polo Sponsor/Player. He s an International Specialist for a group venture between a Fortune 500 company, and MENA (Middle East North Africa) countries, with medi-ums of media, satellites, and earth stations. He is currently working with Royal Families in MEMA countries on Energy Products around the globe. Jaime Eduardo is a proud parent of Alessia Alessandra de Borbón ’18, raising her to become aware of world events, contemplating solutions, and negotiating, and supporting her in becoming the Founder and Executive Director of The deBorbón Foundation. The deBorbón Foundation is currently creat-ing partners around the globe to help women’s health and children’s education.

Thinking About Business?

“My two years of business school

and the two weeks it took to realize it was

not for me”-Jaime Eduardo

Mr. de Borbon joined us to remind us that you don’t need a lot of money to start your own company, you only need a lot of drive, a lot of passion, and some intuition.

He advised students to invest from the heart, and to never stop asking questions. He also emphasized that good communication is truly the key to success. Often times, many business propositions may not be consid-ered due to poor presentation, or ineffective commu-nication.

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SEEK Instructors

Aviation

Nick Gregory is the Chief Pilot at Performance Flight and is Chief Meteorologist at WNYW TV Fox 5 in New York City. Nick has been a flight instructor for 17 years and has taught in many types of aircraft. At age 21, he was hired to be the morning on-air meteorol-ogist for CNN in Atlanta, GA. He is a member of the American Meteorological Society and holds the AMS Seal of Approval for excellence in television weathercasting. He has served as a member of the society’s Board of Broadcast Meteorologists and was Chairman of the Board in 1992. He is a member of the Board of Directors of Angel Flight Northeast.Over 20 years, Nick has owned and flown several types of single and multi-engine aircraft.

Entrepreneurship

Keith Weigelt is the Marks-Darivoff Family Professor of Strategy at The Wharton School, and a Professor of Education at The University of Pennsylvania. Keith is a game theorist and his teaching focuses on the theory’s relevance to the business world. He is the recipient of Wharton School Excellence in Teaching Awards for two courses. He has worked extensively with microfinance institutions both in the U.S. and abroad. He teaches classes on both mi-crofinance and the management of disaster relief. He is the founder and director of Building Bridges to Wealth (BBTW), a literacy program for communities in need.

Aviation

Gar Flickinger (Kent ‘91) developed an affinity for aviation at an early age after learning about the Wright brothers. He attended air shows and space camps, but since his eyesight kept him from qualifying for military flight programs, Gar enrolled at Emery Aviation Col-lege. He then earned his instrument, commercial, and flight instructor licenses. After gradu-ating from Emery Aviation, Gar worked as a flight instructor and traffic watch pilot forProfessional Flight Training at Sikorsky Memorial Airport. He has worked for IslandAir Service, Flight Options, and UPS.

Jared Churchwell is pursuing a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering at Georgia Tech. He has done research in designing electric ship architecture for the next generation of naval ships as well as helicopters. Jared has published a paper entitled The Epidemiology of Helicopter Accidents: Rates, Trends, and Covariates and presented it at the American Helicopter Soci-ety Forum 73. He was part of a senior design team that designed a 24-hour hover vehicle to meet an engineering challenge proposed by Sikorsky, where Jared led the structures team in designing a sturdy, lightweight chassis instrumental in meeting the challenge. Jared is cur-rently researching helicopter aerodynamics using NASA’s NDARC architecture.

Aviation &Manufacturing

Christine Galib is the Director of Curriculum and Instruction at Bridges to Wealth and the Director of Entrepreneurship and Wellness Programs at The Village School. After co-found-ing a successful investment management team on Wall Street, she taught science, health & wellness, and yoga through Teach For America. A nationally certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, she founded Plan My Plate, a health & wellness consulting firm offering workshops on diet and exercise, stress management, mindfulness, and meditation. Ms. Galib gives presentations on wellness in corporate, hospital, and university settings, including Rice University’s Susanne M. Glasscock School of Continuing Studies. Entrepreneurship

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Pre-E

Dr. Ben Nadire holds the Judith B. and Howard B. Wentz, Jr. Teaching Chair in Interdisci-plinary Studies. He received a Fulbright Scholarship and earned a Ph.D. in Optimal Control Theory as well as a Ph.D. in Applied and Pure Mathematics. He is the founder and coordina-tor of the SEEK program and founding director of Kent’s Pre-Engineering Program. Prior to coming to Kent School in 1997, he held teaching positions overseas and at Northeastern University and Bunker Hill CC. He currently teaches math at Kent and runs the VEX Ro-botics Program. He was nominated for a Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Sci-ence Teaching, and the Presidential Microsoft Innovative Teaching with Technology Award.

Pre-E

Julie Zurolo holds the William G. Carey III ’52 Teaching Chair at Kent School, and is the recipient of the 2017 Wentz Fellowship in Pre-Engineering Education. Mrs. Zurolo is an accomplished swimmer, and coaches the Kent women’s swim team. Upon completing her studies at Brown University, Mrs. Zurolo returned to Peddie School to teach Ecology, Psy-chology and Chemistry. Mrs. Zurolo then joined Kent School’s faculty in 2005. She teaches Chemistry and Honors Chemistry while serving as the science department’s Chemical and Safety Coordinator.

SEEK Instructors

Ryan Harris is a Mathematics instructor at Kent School. He earned his BS in Mechanical Engineering from Union College and his MS in Materials Science and Engineering from Cornell University. He has used a wide range of engineering technology such as scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy and multi-photon microscopy, all in the con-text of biomedical implants and applications including bone, collagen and “lab on a slide” technology.

Pre-E

Stephany Santos is Ph.D. candidate in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Con-necticut. She is a recipient of the 2017 Ford Foundation Fellowship by the National Acade-my of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. Her research focuses on cartilage biomechanics and understanding osteoarthritis in the knee. Stephany is also a founder and advisor for the Engineering Ambassadors Program, a nationally recognized group that trains undergraduate students to inspire and engage K-12 students, especially students underrepresented in engi-neering, to consider a future in STEM. She teaches Public Speaking and Presentation Skills and how to communicate technical concepts to varied audiences.

Pre-E

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SEEKSummer Educational Experience at Kent

https://www.kent-school.edu/academics/seek

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