Guy-Lee King
Staff Writer
HBCU students from around the country converged on the nation’s capitol for the first ever Makers Faire in Washington, D.C. on June 13, 2015 at the University of the District of Columbia.
Jackson State University students were among other HBCU’s in attendance to present their prototype: The Automatic Trash Cart. Dominique McCraney was one of those students.
“It was truly an honor for Jackson State to be represented at such a prestigious event as the Makers Faire,” said McCraney, a Greenville, Miss. native. “The Automatic Trash Cart that we assisted in developing is to help people with disabilities get their trash onto the curb for a garbage man to collect it.”
Students presented from Bethune-Cookman University, Bowie State University, Florida Agriculture and Mechanical University, Morehouse College, North Carolina Central University, Spelman College, Tuskegee University, and the hosting university, University of the District of Columbia.
During the event, the United Negro College Fund’s National STEM Director, Dr. Chad Womack, encouraged students to use their inventions to help others.
Several universities went to the White House to present their projects to congressmen and other White House officials.
“I am a graduate technology education major and I am elated that I was a part of this project to aid people with disabilities, said Cassie Fitch-Randolph. “Not only have we made history by presenting our project among government officials, we are letting people know who Jackson State University is and what type of students the university produces.”
The other JSU students that participated in the project are: Eric Jackson, Jasmine Keys, and Gerald Fuller. The advisor for the project was Kamal Ali, chair of the technology department. Ali stated that all of his students did a great job working on the project and presenting it.
Keys, a graduate technology education major said, “This is my first time in Washington, D.C., and also it was my first time flying. I was a bit nervous to get on the flight, but I knew I had a duty to serve my university. After presenting the group and I went to the National Mall and it was amazing. To see national monuments in person is an experience I will keep with me for a lifetime.”
There were several workshops at the Markers Faire that JSU students attended to get a more in depth perspective on enhancing their project.
“I attended the 3D printing workshop, because it seemed interesting. It is so essential to learn how to print different creations with 3D printing. The workshop was so helpful in teaching me how to utilize 3D printing,” said Fuller, a graduate technology education major.
The students returned to Jackson on June 14 and are excited to begin working to enhance their prototype as well as moving to the next phase.
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