Fourteen students spent the spring planning, sketching, prototyping, and working on an idea with help from Elon Kickbox, a mini-grant program from the Maker Hub. Kickbox Stories is a collection of these students’ journeys, from project conception to prototype. Watch the preview video then explore each story below.
Kickbox Stories 2021 – Trailer
Laptop Wireless Charger
Primary Investigator: Aidan Burnside Major: Engineering Sponsor: Richard Blackmon, Assistant Professor of Engineering
Aidan explored charging adapters powerful enough to replenish the batteries of laptop computers. View Aidan’s progress here.
All in One Retro Game Cabinet
Primary Investigator: Bradley Soll Major: Communication Design Sponsor: Joy Meyer, Adjunct Assistant Professor of Art
Bradley explored using a Raspberry Pi to create an arcade cabinet that could play nearly any video game on any screen. View Bradley’s progress here.
Softening the Saxophone
Primary Investigator: Cole Carney Major: Public Health Sponsor: Virginia Novine-Whittaker, Lecturer in Music
Cole explored a device that will make it possible for him to practice playing the alto saxophone in his apartment without disturbing his neighbors. View Cole’s progress here.
Water Consumption Measuring Shower
Primary Investigator: Grace Granger Major: Theatre Tech Sponsor: J.P. Mullican, Technical Director and Instructor in the Department of Performing Arts
Grace explored how to measure the water consumed during a shower and present that information to help a user make better shower length decisions. View Grace’s progress here.
Light Show in the Engineering Workshop
Primary Investigator: Haydn Stucker Major: Engineering Sponsor: Scott Wolter, Associate Professor of Engineering
Haydn and his team use relays, MIDI software, and LEDs to create a music-actuated light show for the engineering workshop on campus. View Haydn’s progress here.
eGPU Enclosure
Primary Investigator: Henry Chance Major: Engineering and Physics Sponsor: Ryan Mattfeld, Assistant Professor of Computer Science and Matthew Banks, Engineering Lab Manager
Henry explored affordable ways to add a high-power graphics card to a laptop without modifying the computer’s internals. View Henry’s progress here.
Automated Blackout Curtains
Primary Investigator: Jakob Reuter Major: Entrepreneurship Sponsor: Elena Kennedy, Doherty Emerging Professor of Entrepreneurship and Assistant Professor of Entrepreneurship
Jakob explored ways for students to get better sleep by creating curtains that adjust to their sleeping habits. View Jakob’s progress here.
StudySpots
Primary Investigator: Kobie Williams Major: Entrepreneurship Sponsor: Alyssa Martina, Director of the Doherty Center for Creativity, Innovation & Entrepreneurship and Lecturer
Kobie and his team explored an app that can help Elon students find open spaces to study. View Kobie’s progress here.
Animal Shelter Toys
Primary Investigator: Lauren Bowman Major: Digital Art Sponsor: Terry Tomasek, Associate Professor of Education and Director of the Elon Academy
Lauren explored creating toys for cats and dogs that are resilient and long-lasting for animal shelters. View Lauren’s progress here.
Inspiration in the Office
Primary Investigator: Logan Powers Major: Strategic Communication Sponsor: Shannon Zenner, Assistant Professor of Communication Design
Logan and his team used Maker Hub tools to fabricate various marketing and custom pieces for the student-run agency Live Oak Communications. View Logan’s progress here.
3-Pronged Grabber Tool
Primary Investigator: Mallory Poff Majors: Engineering Sponsor: Sirena Hargrove-Leak, Associate Professor of Engineering
Mallory and her team have created a device to help a family friend with limited hand/grip strength grab items like keys, papers, and writing utensils. View Mallory’s progress here.
STEM Game for Young Girls
Primary Investigator: Mikayla Ford Major: Communication Design Sponsor: Elena Kennedy, Assistant Professor of Entrepreneurship
Mikayla and her teammates designed a custom board game to introduce STEM-based careers to elementary-aged girls. View Mikayla’s progress here.
Dorm Hub
Primary Investigator: Nicholas Muller Major: Computer Engineering Sponsor: Kyle Altmann, Associate Professor of Physics
Nicholas explored surface mount soldering with PCB boards while creating an electronics hub to control lights and other devices. View Nicholas’s progress here.
Real Estate Engravings
Primary Investigator: Trinity Swepson Major: International Business Sponsor: Alyssa Martina, Director of the Doherty Center for Creativity, Innovation & Entrepreneurship and Lecturer
Trinity explored laser engraving to create custom gifts for real estate agents to give their clients at closing. View Trinity’s progress here.
