An education startup founded by University of California, Davis, electrical engineering major Kavya Khare emerged victorious at the 25th annual Big Bang! Business Competition, held by the Mike and Renee Child Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. The competition aims to nurture entrepreneurial ventures affiliated with California colleges and universities. Khare’s venture, The Make Box, clinched the Education and Educational Tools Sector Award along with a $12,500 cash prize and a $5,000 residency award to utilize lab space at the Davis-based startup incubator Inventopia to advance her company’s concept.
The Make Box specializes in creating DIY robotics kits tailored for both novice STEM learners and seasoned enthusiasts. Khare’s inspiration stemmed from her middle school days, recognizing the scarcity of engaging and accessible learning tools, particularly for children underrepresented in traditional STEM domains. To address this gap, she enlisted a team of UC Davis undergraduates from various engineering disciplines to develop SnapBots, the flagship product of The Make Box.
SnapBots is a modular robotics kit comprising programmable cubes with diverse functions like light sensing and sound activation. Children can construct standard bots like alarm bots or unleash their creativity by inventing new designs through the drag-and-drop coding interface. The magnetic connectors on the cubes facilitate versatile play and experimentation in robot design.
Expressing gratitude for the recognition, Khare emphasized the importance of making STEM engaging and inclusive for all students. She envisions a future where entry into STEM fields is perceived as fun, creative, and hands-on, fostering curiosity and exploration among students. By simplifying electronics and programming concepts, Khare believes students are more likely to develop an interest in pursuing STEM pathways.
Besides The Make Box, two other teams with UC Davis engineering students also claimed accolades at the competition. Computer science undergraduates contributed to Buzzit, a social entrepreneurship venture that received the Social Entrepreneurship Sector Award for its app connecting college students to affordable, peer-provided services. Additionally, Splash Tech, founded by electrical engineering graduate student Rain Sun, secured the Energy and Sustainability Sector Award and a $12,500 prize for its automated pool management system.
The success of these student-led initiatives underscores the innovative spirit and entrepreneurial drive within the UC Davis engineering community. By bridging the gap between academia and industry, these ventures not only showcase technical prowess but also address real-world challenges through creative solutions, paving the way for a new generation of engineering leaders.
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