Summer STEM Education Faculty | Edge on Science
Summer fun for budding scientists and engineers!
A project based, fun approach to applied science and engineering with summer programs held at prestigious colleges and universities.
Or choose custom programs for your school, museum, library, youth group or community.
• work in teams, building individual & group projects •
• use tools, drawings, computer applications & scientific instruments •
• child to instructor & assistant ratio of 6:1 or less •
• lead instructors are engineers, scientists or scholars •
• Outdoor games & challenges add to the fun! •
John Aviste, P. Eng.
BS Civil Engineering, University of Toronto
John is one of the lead instructors this summer. His youth programs have been held at university campuses, libraries, schools and museums. Thousands of students have participated. John has a background in civil engineering.
Accomplishments include:
• solving the challenge of using less plastic, in hot-filled beverage bottles
• engineering and prototyping a tamper-proof, temperature sensing device, reducing spoilage during the transport of fresh produce
• researching ways to reduce spoilage in silage, used to feed dairy cattle
• producing the Tree City USA instructional video & manual
Summer 2024 Instructors
Greg Dancer
BS Civil Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
BS Literature, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
MA Film Studies, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Greg returns this summer to lead the Super Science Sampler. He is known for his kindness and ability to connect with children. Greg is committed to providing a safe, fun and meaningful experience for his students, consistently scoring between 9 and 10 out of 10 in parent surveys!
Paula Pardo
Astrophysics major and Data Science Master’s student at Illinois Institute of Technology (GPA: 3.35)
Paula is an aspiring Astrophysicist with plenty of experience communicating science. With a notable track record of mentoring over 50 students as part of the IIT Mentee program and serving as the treasurer for the Society of Women in Space Exploration, Paula is dedicated to inspiring and motivating young minds in pursuing STEM careers. In addition to her scientific pursuits, she finds joy in reading, taking long walks, and exploring her passion for writing (fun fact: she earned first place in a recent philosophy writing contest!).
Equipped with a solid foundation in galactic, extragalactic, and stellar astrophysics, Paula possesses a versatile skill set. Her adaptability, responsibility, and strong communication skills enable her to effectively convey complex ideas to diverse audiences. Moreover, she excels in collaborative environments, showcasing excellent teamwork and interpersonal skills. Paula is eager to share her vast knowledge and inspire campers during the upcoming summer!
Elliot Shumsky
Inventor
Elliot has been building his own 3D printer that works upside down! He will bring this to the classroom as an example of starting with an idea and turning it into a working prototype. As a robotics team leader, he is eager to share his knowledge.
Past Instructors
William Short
Sc.D. Electrical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
S.M. Electric Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
S.B. Electrical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
William is the manager of Hurstwic, LLC, a Massachusetts-based firm that scientifically researches the Vikings, with a focus on their combat method, but with an interest in all things Viking. A special exhibit based on Hurstwic’s research in Viking-age iron smelting is now on display at the National Museum of Iceland, and Hurstwic’s book detailing the results of their twenty-year research program was published last year. William created training programs for younger Vikings both for Hurstwic and at the Higgins Armory Museum in Worcester, MA.
Addy Krom
Majoring in computer science at Case Western Reserve University (GPA: 3.77)
From coaching 12 year olds in ski racing to serving as a co-president, leading youth at an MIT climate summit, we can only imagine what Addy will bring to Drone & Code this summer.
Addy’s Boston Latin School Faculty Advisor, Cate Arnold has described them as dedicated, reliable, skilled and passionate. Take for example, their work on developing a floor tile that captures the energy imparted by walking on it. Consider the applications of this!
Experienced in Python coding, your child can expect some wicked cool flight challenges from Addy. Think object recognition, obstacle courses, payload lifts and more!
Riley Miller
Majoring in biology at Endicott College
Riley is a rising sophomore at Endicott College where she spent her first two semesters learning all about the basics of chemistry and biology. She is an aspiring scientist who is very passionate when it comes to spreading knowledge of her love for science. She is known as an avid animal lover as she grew up at a barn helping kids learn how to ride and take care of horses. She is now ready to lead the Science sampler!
Ludovic Robinson
Majoring in bioengineering at Endicott College
Ludovic is an aspiring Bioengineer who loves science and learning. Understanding how things work has always been a passion of his, and sharing his knowledge is something that he enjoys doing. He loves to have fun and is a team player who has no problem working with others to achieve a common goal.
Hana Stone
Environmental Science major at Endicott College (GPA 3.67)
Growing up near the coast sparked Hana’s interest in marine life and has guided her academic pursuits. Within her major, she is mainly interested in sustainability, conservation, clean energy, and green infrastructure. Hana enjoys sharing her love of nature with kids. Her work with youth includes being an archery instructor and teaching at an intensive preschool.
Fun fact: Hana is also studying music and we can only imagine how she will introduce your child to whale songs!
Notable skills include:
• knowledge and experience in working with special needs kids
• flexible, patient, organized
• fundamental knowledge in environmental science and marine ecosystems
Veer Shah
Computer Science major at the University of Wisconsin Madison
Veer is a former member and Team Captain of the First Robotics Team, Stormgears 5422 which consistently qualified for the global finals! He has worked extensively with youth, teaching them coding an robotics, promoting critical thinking skills. Under Veer’s leadership, your child owns the science!
And no, that is Galileo Galilei filling in for Veer until he submits his photo!
Hunter Boucher
Bioengineering major at Endicott College (GPA 3.56)
Hunter is a bioengineering major at Endicott College and is interested in the way the body works as well as the medical aspects of bioengineering. His experience encompasses scientific principals, 3D modeling, coding, and anatomy. Hunter is a part of the cross country and track team at Endicott. He enjoys going to the beach, playing volleyball, and being outside in his free time. Hunter has experience coaching youth in basketball and is looking forward to passing on his science knowledge to kids this summer.
Karoline Sucic
Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science (GPA 3.75)
Karoline has assisted with the collection of whale snot. Yup, whale snot. This is done by flying a drone through the blow of a whale. It is called the Snotbot and was originally developed at Olin College of Engineering. At Endicott College she completed her thesis research project under Professor Gordon Ober. He has commended her on extraordinary attention to detail and a rigorous approach to obtaining good data. In addition to extensive research experience, Karoline has served as a naturalist for Seven Seas Whale Watch in Gloucester MA.
Notable skills include:
• educating children
• sharing her knowledge of sustainability, ecology and marine science
• working on boats
• professional wildlife illustration
Nare Parseghian
Pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering
UMass Amherst Commonwealth Honors College (GPA 3.97)
Nare was awarded the Jack Welch Scholarship by UMass Amherst, a full-ride engineering scholarship for academically accomplished students. She started college with a sophomore standing. She received a certificate from UMass Amhersts’ Phi Kappa Phi Honors Society for being in the top ten percent of the sophomore class academically at the university.
Nare is a tutor and described as kind, patient and very good at connecting with children. As an accomplished pianist she has designed and conducted music theory lessons for groups of children.
Megan DeSanty
Majoring in Robotics Engineering at Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Megan is a passionate engineer who has hands on experience with designing, implementing, and testing various robot mechanisms. As a robotics engineering student, she collaborates with others to design the most suitable robot for a given challenge.
Outside of engineering, she loves to work with kids, introducing them to engineering through model building activities. Last summer she worked as a sports camp counselor.
Megan is also on the varsity cross country and track teams at WPI and is actively participating in a nationwide community service fellowship that address the root causes of food insecurity!
Anna Nelson
Biotechnology & Molecular Bioscience major at the Rochester Institute of Technology
Anna has five plus years experience in leading and preparing STEM focused youth activities. She is described as a deep thinker. Her curiosity for all things will delight and engage your child. She is dedicated to getting good data and good data yields good science!
James Babcock
Engineering major at Endicott College
James is an aspiring engineer whose passion leads him to explore, experiment, and experience science firsthand. His experience includes working with youth.
Molly Crown
Graduated in Computer Science at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Molly will not be returning this summer to lead Drone & Code, as she will be pursuing full time employment. We wish her success in all her future endeavors! She has contributed much to the Drone & Code curriculum and now passes it on to our 2021 Instructor, Tariq Georges, a computer engineering major at Boston University.
Tariq Georges
Majoring in Computer Engineering, Boston University
Tariq is no stranger when it comes to electronics and computer technology. He is adapting the curriculum for Drone & Code from computer science graduate, Molly Crown. One of the new challenges will involve object recognition. Tariq’s experience in working with youth will figure into his approach with scratch programming for the younger children and python text coding for the older children!
Isabelle Nguyen
Biomedical Engineering at Boston University with a 3.78 GPA
Isabelle has considerable experience in computer aided design (CAD) while on a FIRST robotics team and more recently on a Formula SAE electric car team. Combine that with her experience as a youth swim coach and you have the makings of a fun, deep dive into 3D Printing & Design or Catapult Engineering!
Isabelle is a member and active participant in the Boston University, Society of Women Engineers.
Tyler VanHelene
Studying mechanical engineering at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst
From 2018 to 2020, Tyler assisted with Edge on Science summer programs, notably Drone & Code, Catapult Engineering and the Summer Rocket Blast Off. He has a wide variety of achievements and activities he dedicates his time to. While still in high school, he was the captain of his high school robotics team, continuing his study of black-belt in karate, sailing on his school’s varsity sailing team, and interning at the hematology and oncology lab at Boston University.
Tyler is pursuing an internship the summer of 2021 and we wish him all the best! He continues to contribute to the curriculum for 3D Printing & Design and will collaborate with Isabelle Nguyen.
Brett Zaorski
Majoring in Biomedical Engineering at Case Western Reserve University
Brett loves summer camp! As a camper, the activities he loved best were the ones where he learned something new and were hands-on. For the past five summers, he’s worked as either a counselor-in-training or a lead counselor, working with children aged five to 16.
At Case Western, Brett works in the university’s innovation center, supervising activities on the fabrication floor. He also enjoys building sets for theatre performances and playing with the marching band on the drumline.
Brett was an Edge on Science Instructor in the summer of 2020 and helped to blaze a trail for conducting safe in-person programs. Now he gets ready to pass the torch, so to speak, to Greg Dancer and Rebecca FitzGerald. We wish Brett success as he pursues an internship this summer!
