Custom Course Development

I design transformative, asset-based STEM curricula that centers students' cultural knowledge and lived experiences as strengths. My approach integrates invention education with real-world problem-solving, guiding learners from community challenge identification through prototype development. By embedding convergence education principles—where disciplines intersect to address authentic problems—I create pathways for underrepresented students to become confident inventors. My frameworks emphasize purpose-driven learning, where technical skills are acquired "just-in-time" to solve problems students care deeply about, fostering both engineering excellence and entrepreneurial thinking while honoring students' cultural heritage and community expertise.

Example Curricula

  • Cover page of the JV InvenTeams Educator Guide featuring a cartoon otter wearing safety goggles, a lab coat with a toy design, holding a tablet, and wearing orange shoes. The guide is sponsored by MIT and J-WEL.

    Toy Design and Invention

    Students invent working toys for their school community using human-centered design principles. They identify specific users, learn cultural toy traditions, master prototyping skills, and iterate designs based on user feedback. This project integrates engineering, creativity, and community knowledge—teaching students to become inventive problem-solvers who design with, not for, their peers.

  • Illustration of engineering technology modes: land, sea, air, and space, featuring a rocket, satellite, drone, school bus, car, train, boat, and submarine against a starry night sky with the Milky Way.

    Engineering Technology: Land, Sea, Air, Space

    Students build and program functional robots while exploring land, sea, air, and space applications. Through hands-on assembly and coding, learners develop problem-solving and collaboration skills while connecting robotics concepts to real-world careers in automation, aerospace, and marine exploration. This project bridges technical skill-building with career pathway exploration.

  • A logo for Heritage Inventors featuring a light bulb surrounded by gears, with the text "Heritage Inventors" encircling it. Below the logo, the phrase "Heritage to Harvard" is written, with "Observer" underneath "Heritage" and "Inventor" underneath "Harvard".

    Heritage to Harvard

    Heritage to Harvard is a transformative invention curriculum that empowers high school students to create patent-worthy innovations while building an exceptional college application narrative. This isn't another robotics club or generic STEM program—this is a structured pathway to becoming a published inventor who solves real problems in their community.