Middle College Students Explore Emerging Technologies in Eight-Week Cohort

Through an eight-week Experiential Technology and Engineering Cohort hosted by the iMAKE Innovation Center, 68 Middle College students from Wendy Sharkey’s fifth and sixth period classes engaged in hands-on instruction in emerging technologies this fall.

The cohort was designed as an immersive, project-based learning experience that introduced students to artificial intelligence, microcontrollers, mechanical systems, sustainability concepts, and app development. 

“Through a sequenced series of workshops, students moved from foundational concepts to applied problem-solving, engaging directly with tools and systems used across multiple STEM fields,” said Donnell Layne, director of the STEM Innovation Center and Makerspace.

Instruction began with an introduction to artificial intelligence using Micro:bit microcontrollers, where students explored basic inputs and outputs, sensor interaction, and the translation of computational logic into physical devices. That foundation carried into a sustainability-focused workshop that combined seed planting with the development of Micro:bit-based soil moisture monitoring systems, allowing students to examine how technology can support environmental decision-making.

Midway through the program, students shifted focus to mechanical engineering concepts during an engine and gear dynamics workshop. Lessons on torque, RPMs, gear ratios, and power transfer were reinforced through the use of the Makerspace’s racing simulator, providing a kinesthetic learning environment that connected mechanical theory with applied experience.

The cohort concluded with a return to artificial intelligence through app development using the PlayLab platform. Students designed functional applications incorporating event-driven programming, logic-based decision pathways, and simple AI-influenced behaviors, resulting in completed digital projects that reflected both technical skill and creative problem-solving.

The program reflects the iMAKE Innovation Center’s growing capacity to deliver interdisciplinary STEM instruction for Middle College students and positions the Makerspace as a resource for continued collaboration with secondary and regional educational partners.