Invention Bootcamp 2020
Invention Bootcamp at Portland State
Invention Bootcamp is an intensive education experience for high school students. It is led by PSU faculty and a team of undergraduate engineering students serving as mentors. Students learn basic skills to develop a prototype by completing class-wide projects. In parallel, students apply these skills to creating their own invention. At the end of Invention Bootcamp, students present their invention to the public.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 versino of Invention Bootcamp will be a remote experience.
Highlights for the 2020 version of the camp
- 10:00 AM - 2:30 PM, Monday through Friday, June 22 - July 17, 2020
- Create relationships with college students and program mentors
- Training in engineering software, computer programming, microcontrollers and electrical circuits
- Design and fabricate you own invention
- Guest speakers
- Finale Presentation as a public webinar
Projects from the 2020 Camp
Eight teams of high school students created inventions that used an Adafruit Circuit Playground, various sensors and actuator/indicators to provide an interactive service to the user. Here is the list of project teams and a brief description of their inventions.
Bandico
A wearable temperature monitor and warning system to monitor social distancing
Manticore
A dispenser which activates lights in response to loud noises, and when all the lights are lit dispenses a snack/candy/reward
Indicator
A display that indicates whether you are busy or available for interruption and when you would be available to talk
Pomodoro
A personal productivity device to help you focus on work for a sustained period of time, followed by a break.
Emotimask
A personal protection mask that uses light patterns to communicate emotions
ScanKnob
An automatical door opener that responds to a hand signal or presence of person
Watch-out 6ft
A wrist-mounted device that indicates whether other people are closer than 6ft. When you take it off and put it on a docking station it becomes a nightlight.
SenTech
A device to manage social distancing in a store or other public place by counting occupants as they enter and leave.
More Information
This web site provides public information about the technology and techniques used in the camp. Detailed curriculum is provided via the Portland State Learning Management System. If you are interested in this curriculum please contact us via email
Use the list of links on the left to find more information.