Prompt Responses

Critical Thinking

Engaging in this research significantly strengthened my critical thinking skills. One key example was learning to anticipate potential challenges when working with unfamiliar electronics and technologies. Since I had limited prior experience, I had to think ahead, identify possible obstacles, and independently research how to use the tools and components effectively. This process involved analyzing technical documentation, exploring online resources, and testing different solutions—all of which helped me make informed decisions and problem-solve in real time to move the project forward. 

Technology

Participating in this project exposed me to new hardware and software technologies. I worked with electronic wiring, an MR actuator, and an Arduino (a mini-computer), as well as programming in C for the Arduino and C# for scripting in Unity, the engine used to build the virtual environment. To connect the Arduino with Unity, I used a Unity Asset Store tool called Ardity, which enabled synchronization between the physical hardware and the virtual world. Learning how to operate and integrate these technologies was essential to achieving the project's goals.

Career & Self-Development

As the project progressed, I found myself growing not just technically, but also in how I approached my time, communication, and career direction. I learned to manage my time more effectively, balancing research tasks with other responsibilities and setting realistic goals to stay on track. I also came to appreciate the value of regularly seeking feedback from my faculty advisor, whose insights helped improve the project not only technically, but also in terms of professional communication and clarity of presentation. Moreover, working on this project deepened my interest in mechanical engineering. I gained hands-on experience with design, documentation, and fabrication processes, which gave me a broader and more practical understanding of what a career in STEM entails.