Week 2 at SEED: Prototypes, Ping Pong, and a Dash of Tanzanian Spice

Posted on June 25, 2025June 25, 2025 by Abraham Ngugi

Last week at SEED was slightly shorter thanks to the Juneteenth celebrations, but what we lacked in days, we more than made up for in progress, creativity, and memorable experiences.

Agile in Action — Real-Time Innovation

We continued to push forward with our projects, and I still can’t believe how much we accomplished in just a few days. We embraced the agile approach—failing fast, iterating quickly, and getting early feedback. It was exciting, a bit chaotic, and wildly productive.

Project 1: Cable Management for Immediate Kangaroo Mother Care (iKMC)

After an in-depth conversation with our supervisor, we agreed to shift our focus toward creating a low-fidelity prototype. We wanted something physical we could test and get feedback on—fast.

We spent hours working through CAD designs, 3D printing, and even a little sewing (shout-out to my dad, who taught me how to use a sewing machine when I was younger!). It felt like everything came together as we assembled our first prototype.

On Tuesday morning, we marched to the BioScience Research Collaborative (BRC) to meet our client. The feedback session was insightful—the client was impressed and provided suggestions that sharpened and focused our problem statement (as our supervisor likes to say, “make it succinct!”). We left with more clarity and energy to move forward.

Testing our Low-fidelity prototype at Bioscience Research Center

Project 2: Water Sampling Project – Engineering Vs Hydrology

We also continued work on our automated water sampling system. After testing the previous team’s prototype, we identified several mechanical issues, particularly with the stepper motor, which lacked sufficient torque to properly move and hold the vials.

Our solution? Upgrade the motor and redesign the housing to fit it. I spent some focused hours in SolidWorks, 3D printed the new part, and honestly, seeing it fit perfectly was one of the highlights of my week! We also spent some time making the code, which was initially in one single file, more modular, which included separating the code into different files.

Unidirectional Limit Switch flap; Left-Cardboard Initial Idea, Right-3D printed

Tools & Tech

This week, I also got to use Onshape. Also, they have dedicated machines for anything here at OEDK. I got to use a tools to push in screw studs, No more using a hot soldering iron to push in thread inserts—this machine does it with precision.

Cooking Together – Taste of East Africa

On Friday evening, as part of our team building, we cooked a Tanzanian recipe together at the Martel Kitchen, a cozy space with great vibes and great music. The night was filled with laughter, cultural exchange, and a delicious meal. Who knew team bonding could taste so good?

Celebrating Juneteenth – A Moment of Reflection

As part of the Juneteenth celebration, we visited the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum. The exhibitions were powerful, highlighting the history and contributions of Black American soldiers in the fight for freedom, and also American History as a whole. The most thrilling part? The firearm showcase, where we saw the weapons used during the war, and how they were prepared for battle. We also went shopping at Ross, a fantastic shopping space with a unique and genius business model. An unforgettable history lesson.

Outside the Buffalo Soldiers Museum in Houston Texas

Cultural Exchange – Lock in & Ping pong

One of the most valuable parts of SEED has been learning from my fellow interns. The international students from Asia, in particular, have truly impressed me with their focus and work ethic. Their ability to lock in and stay in the zone is inspiring. Oh—and they’re incredible at ping pong.

Rice Wildlife – Bold Squirrels & Bunnies

No blog would be complete without a mention of Rice University’s famously fearless squirrels. They’ll join you for lunch… invited or not. And don’t get me started on the bunnies—adorable, chill, and absolutely photogenic.

Met this Squirrel On my way from Servery, It wanted to grab my apple

Conclusion

This past week was short, intense, and incredibly rewarding. I can’t wait to share what we build next! Special thanks to Rice360 Global Health Technologies and Mrs.Judy Koehl for making this happen.

Failure as Fuel: Lessons from Low-Fidelity Prototyping

Posted on June 22, 2025June 22, 2025 by Daniel Olatinwo

Welcome to my weekly update as a SEED program participant at Rice University! Building on the exciting foundation laid during my first week, which you can read about here, this week marked a major shift from understanding our projects to actively building and testing solutions. With insights from client meetings, brainstorming sessions, and team discussions, we started tackling real challenges head-on. Here’s a breakdown of my work on both projects: EARTI and Drain Saver, plus some fun community moments that made the week even more special.

EARTI: From Brainstorming to Our First Prototype
After a solid week of understanding the EARTI project, a hydroponic grow system that needs a vertically moving camera, we officially began developing a solution. We initially settled on a ball screw mechanism, which worked well in theory and early testing. However, we quickly ran into a practical challenge: cost. Scaling this system to cover the full 70-inch vertical height was too expensive with a ball screw.

So, we pivoted. Our team began researching belt-driven mechanisms because it was a cost-effective solution. We developed a low-fidelity prototype using a 40 mm V-slot for the belt-driven system as advised by Dr. Kelvin Holmes. The low-fidelity prototype revealed critical challenges within the 3-inch diameter workspace as requested by our client. Using a 40 mm V-slot exposed space constraints, as it was too large. Alignment and mounting issues surfaced, with the V-slot lacking stable attachment points. The physical prototyping highlighted these flaws, leading us to test a linear rail, which proved too small for reliable mounts.

After a lot of trial and error, we struck a balance by switching to a 20 mm V-slot, which gave us the stability we needed without compromising space. We sourced most of our materials from OEDK, including:

Pulley system
GT2 belt
NEMA 17 stepper motor
Limit switches
Other 3D printed parts

By Friday, we had moved from a low-fidelity model to a working first prototype. The camera isn’t installed yet, but the system moves vertically and includes limit switches that stop the platform at both ends, preventing damage to the motor or overextension.

This phase taught us the importance of hands-on prototyping. We discovered technical challenges like mounting alignment, motor positioning, and structural balance that we wouldn’t have spotted on paper. It was an eye-opening and rewarding process.

Drain Saver: Diagnosing the Autoclave Piping System
The Drain Saver project focuses on reducing water usage in cooling steam from autoclave machines. On Monday, we met with the client, who brought in a team of plumbers to help us understand the complicated piping system. Since some pipes were still unclear, we called on Dr. Kevin, who joined us for an on-site visit.
Together, we examined a working autoclave system and sketched out the full piping diagram, giving us a clear picture of how steam is released and cooled. Our goal: bring down the exhaust steam temperature to below 130°F, ideally without continuous water use.

Meeting with the plumbers at the autoclave room

We brainstormed and developed multiple ideas, including:

A low-fidelity prototype with a carbon fiber inlet pipe entering a cold-water tank, which absorbs heat from the steam.

Low Fidelity for Drain Saver
A wider outlet pipe to reduce pressure buildup and manage steam flow safely.
A thermostatic valve that only releases water when the system exceeds a temperature threshold, solving the issue of unnecessary, constant water flow.
Exploring cooling jackets or wraps around the condensate pipe to reduce temperature externally.

We’re still testing and refining these ideas, but it’s exciting to see our concepts evolve into actionable designs.

Learning Through Design: CAD Workshop Experience
This week, I also participated in a CAD (Computer-Aided Design) workshop using Fusion, where I was introduced to the fundamentals of digital modeling by Jason, a rising senior at Rice University. I learned how to use CAD software to design mechanical parts and structures, an essential skill for prototyping and engineering development. The session covered everything from sketching basic 2D shapes to extruding 3D components and assembling multiple parts into a single functional design. It was empowering to visualize ideas on-screen and prepare them for fabrication. I got to design the water bottle given to us by Rice 360, and I look forward to applying these skills in future phases of our projects.

Beyond the Projects: Cooking, Culture & Community
This week wasn’t all wires and whiteboards, we had plenty of moments to connect and relax as a group. On Friday, we spent nearly three hours cooking dinner together. It was a wholesome evening with eight of us in total: five international students and three others SEED Interns (Dohoon, Tasia, and Helena). Everyone pitched in for groceries, meal prep, and, of course, eating! It was a fun way to bond, share stories, and laugh over our culinary engineering skills.

Saturday brought more cultural insight. Helena took us to attend a Juneteenth event, where we learned about the history of Black emancipation, the role of Black soldiers in U.S. history, and the significance of freedom celebrations. It was powerful and enlightening. We also visited a local clothing store to check out prices, where I got a belt for $10, which felt expensive compared to what I’d pay back home in Nigeria!

The day wrapped up with a competitive game of table tennis. I played against Dohoon, in which i was beaten three times before I finally got a win in the last round. A great way to end a week full of learning, building, and bonding.

As always, I remain deeply thankful to the generous sponsors of the SEED program. Your support is not only providing us with world-class training, it’s giving me memories, skills, and experiences that will shape my future.

Looking forward to what Week 3 brings!
See you next Sunday

My first Flight into innovation, My first week in Houston

Posted on June 19, 2025June 20, 2025 by Abraham Ngugi

I’m Abraham Mwaura, a soon-to-be graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biomedical Engineering from Kenyatta University, set to graduate this August.

Wednesday, June 4th, will forever be one of the most unforgettable days of my life. After months of anticipation, I was finally boarding a plane—not just for the first time internationally, but for the first time ever!

My family and friends were so excited for me, and honestly, I was floating somewhere between disbelief and pure joy. The journey itself? Well, let’s just say it was no short hop: 8+ hours from Nairobi to London, and then another 10+ hours to Houston.

Arrival : (Houston has landed😅)

After a smooth landing at George Bush Intercontinental Airport on a sunny Thursday afternoon, we were picked up and driven to Martel College at Rice University. The 40-minute drive was my first taste of Houston—a blur of highways, trees, and very large pickup trucks.

After stepping outside, I was greeted by a wave of intense heat. I had a mini panic moment—“Is this how hot it gets out here? Will I survive this?” Spoiler alert: I not only survived, I kinda love it now.

We met Michelle in person—she’s the amazing human who has been helping us with travel plans and documentation. Jet lag was hitting hard, but the excitement of being in the U.S. for the first time totally overpowered it. She showed us to our rooms, gave us a mini campus tour, and introduced us to the Rice dining area—aka “The Servery.” Let me just say, the variety of food there is next level.

Orientation, Sunscreen & the Zoo

The next day, we visited the Bioscience Research Collaborative (BRC) and had a super informative orientation with the Office of International Students & Scholars (OISS). They helped us get familiar with life at Rice and what to expect during our stay.

Lunch with other interns after orientation

That weekend, we headed to the Houston Zoo. The sun was not playing games, but thankfully, our local host, Helena, saved the day with sunscreen. Apart from sweating through my T-shirt, I was blown away by the architecture and animal exhibits.

First Day at the OEDK: The design playground💖

Monday, June 9th, finally came, and I was buzzing with excitement. We stepped into the Oshman Engineering Design Kitchen (OEDK)—our innovation playground for the next seven weeks. I’ve seen this place in videos and presentations, but walking through it in person? Goosebumps.

Dr. Kelvin Holmes, our mentor and supervisor, gave us an engaging introduction to the SEED program, Houston life, and the dos and don’ts around campus. One of the coolest activities was a two-slide challenge:

Slide 1: Photos that represent who you are

Slide 2: Three things you’re bringing to the SEED experience.

Let’s just say, the creativity levels were off the charts. These are the kind of people you want to build with.

Projects, Personality Tests & Pizza

We also had an activity where each team came up with:

A team name
Core values
Team rituals (yes, rituals!)

Then came project introductions. We each completed a survey to express our preferences and took a DISC personality test. I had never taken one before, but wow—it described me with scary accuracy. Dr. Holmes used our results to form balanced teams.

My Two Projects: Real Impact, Real Stories.

I was thrilled to be placed on two meaningful projects:

Kangaroo Mother Care – This project focuses on better managing the tangle of cords and cables used during Immediate Kangaroo Mother Care in low-resource settings. Having spent time in Pumwani Maternity Hospital back in Kenya, I’ve seen firsthand how overwhelming that environment can be for new mothers, especially those with underweight babies. This project hit home.
Water Sampling System – Our second project builds on previous work to design an automated system that can collect water samples from a body of water over time, eliminating the need for physical presence. Simple? Not quite. Useful? Incredibly.

Teamwork & Laser Cutting? Yes, Please.

With our teams formed, we kicked off brainstorming sessions, developed our project objectives, and mapped out problem statements. We even started establishing team culture—and let me tell you, team dynamics in a cross-cultural, interdisciplinary environment are something else.

Midweek, we were introduced to stand-up meetings—quick daily check-ins on project progress. Between brainstorming, prototyping, and discussions, the week flew by.

We wrapped things up with a laser cutting workshop, where we learned how to use Adobe Illustrator and laser cutters to bring ideas to life.

The Galleria Experience: Skating, Window Shopping & Bonding

To top off the week, we visited The Galleria Mall—a massive shopping and entertainment hub. We tried our feet at ice skating, did some top-tier window shopping (hello, luxury brands), and just enjoyed bonding as a team.

Final Thoughts on Week 1

This has been one of the most incredible, intense, and inspiring weeks of my life. From adjusting to a new country, tackling real-world problems, meeting brilliant minds, and discovering new aspects of myself, this journey has already left a mark, and we’re just getting started. Special thanks to my sponsor Mrs. Koehl, for allowing me to experience which will mean a lot to an ambitious African kid.

Gratitude to Mrs. Koehl 🙏

Special thanks to my sponsor, Mrs. Koehl, for giving me this life-changing opportunity—an experience that means the world to an ambitious kid from Africa chasing big dreams.

My First Impression: An Unforgettable First Week

Posted on June 19, 2025June 20, 2025 by Daniel Olatinwo

My name is Daniel Olatinwo Opeyemi, a beneficiary of Rice 360’s Summer Experience Engineering Design(SEED) and an Industrial & Production Engineering student from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria.

Kicking off my journey to the United States, which began on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, at exactly 11:55 PM, when I boarded my very first international flight, a plane from Lagos, Nigeria, alongside my colleague from the University of Lagos, Eniola. It was an 11-hour flight to Washington, D.C., followed by another 3-hour flight to Houston, Texas. We finally arrived at George Bush Intercontinental Airport around 11 AM on Thursday, June 5, 2025.

The first thing that greeted me was the blazing Texas sun and a friendly driver who had been assigned to pick us up. He drove us straight to Rice University, where we were warmly welcomed by Michelle. She gave us a quick tour of Martel College and showed us our room, where a lovely welcome package awaited. That afternoon, we had a delicious lunch at Sammy’s, located at the student center, with Michelle and Gabriel, a great way to settle in.

The next day, Friday, we had our first official tour of Rice University and a brief meeting with Marjorie from Rice 360°. We also had lunch at the American Island Grill, where we met some of the key people we’ll be working with: Dr. Kelvin Holmes, our supervisor at OEDK(Osman Engineering Design Kitchen); Erin, the lead intern for the SEED program; Helena, a fellow SEED participant; and several others.

Lunch with Michelle, Dr. Holmes, Rice 360 staff & other SEED participants

On Saturday, Helena kindly volunteered to take us to Hermann Park, where I joined the other international SEED interns visiting the zoo. It was fun exploring the park, seeing different animals, and enjoying nature in a whole new environment. Sunday was peaceful. Eniola and I attended church at St. Mary’s Chapel, a perfect way to reflect and prepare for the week ahead.

Monday kicked off with great energy and excitement, setting the tone for the rest of the week. We had our official welcome session at the Oshman Engineering Design Kitchen (OEDK), the heart of innovation at Rice University. It was here that I met the full SEED intern cohort, a diverse and incredibly talented group of students from different parts of the world. We began with introductions, each person sharing their background, interests, and what they hoped to gain from the program. After that, we were introduced to the exciting list of design and research projects we could choose from each one tackling real-world problems and offering the chance to make a meaningful impact. To help us form balanced and effective teams, we also completed the DISC personality assessment, which gave insight into our working styles and communication preferences. This thoughtful approach to team-building made it clear that SEED values not just technical skills, but strong collaboration and personal growth as well.

By Tuesday morning, I had been selected for my two preferred projects:
• EARTI is an innovative hydroponic farming system designed to optimize plant cultivation in controlled environments. As part of its advanced monitoring capabilities, the system requires a vertically moving camera that can travel along the height of the growing structure. This camera will be responsible for capturing real-time images of the plants at various levels, enabling researchers and farmers to closely monitor growth patterns, detect issues early, and ensure optimal plant health throughout the farming cycle.

• Drain Saver is a sustainability-focused project aimed at minimizing water waste in autoclave systems. Typically, autoclaves release hot steam during their sterilization cycles, which is cooled using a continuous flow of water before its condensate can be safely drained. The Drain Saver project seeks to reduce the volume of water used in this cooling process by exploring alternative cooling methods, improving thermal management, and optimizing system efficiency. The goal is to design a solution that conserves water without compromising the safety or performance of the autoclave.

The rest of the week, Wednesday through Friday, was spent getting to know my teammates on each project, and we also had our first client meetings on each project, where we got to see their workspaces and gain a deeper understanding of the challenges they’re facing. I was impressed by how open and supportive the clients were. I also took part in the laser cutting workshop, where I got hands-on experience using the laser machine. During the session, I learned how the machine precisely engraves designs and cuts through various materials like wood and acrylic using focused laser beams. We were introduced to the design software(Adobe Illustrator) used to prepare files for cutting, and I even had the chance to create and engrave a personalized item. It was exciting to see how digital designs could be transformed into physical objects with such accuracy and speed.

Saturday, June 14, was a highlight of my week. I went ice skating for the very first time with Doohan, Helena, and a group of international SEED students. We also explored downtown Houston and did a bit of window shopping. Stepping onto the ice was exciting, even though I took a few spectacular spills; every stumble was pure adrenaline and so much fun. I can’t wait to lace up and do it all over again!

In conclusion, I’m incredibly grateful to be part of the SEED program. This first week has been a perfect blend of learning, bonding, and exploration. It’s inspiring to witness how real-world problems are tackled here, and I’m looking forward to what the next six weeks will bring.

A heartfelt thank you to the incredible sponsors of this program, your generosity is not just opening doors, it’s transforming lives. Your support is empowering students like me to dream bigger, learn deeper, and grow beyond borders. I’m truly grateful for the opportunity you’ve made possible.

Just one week in, and I already have many stories to tell.

Stay tuned for more this Sunday.

From Lagos to Houston: My First Week with SEED

Posted on June 18, 2025June 20, 2025 by Adeleke Eniola

Hi, I’m Eniola Adeleke, a final-year student from the University of Lagos, Nigeria, studying Physics (Electronics). I’m incredibly honored to be part of the SEED (summer experience in engineering design) internship program at Rice University this summer hosted at the OEDK (oshman engineering design kitchen), and even more grateful to be supported by the generous sponsorship of Rich and Janet Wheeler.

This is my first time in the United States, and I’d love to share a bit about my arrival and how my first week has gone so far. Spoiler: it’s been amazing!
I can’t believe it’s only been a week, it feels like I’ve already lived a mini lifetime in Houston!
My journey started on Wednesday, June 4th, at 11:55 PM, when I boarded a flight from Lagos to Washington D.C., and then another to Houston. After about 14 hours in the air, I landed in the middle of a blazing hot Texas morning, and that sun hit differently. But so did the welcome! Our driver was all smiles and drove us straight to Rice University. We met Michelle, our SEED coordinator, who gave us a quick tour of Martel College, our dorm, and treated us to lunch at the student center. Great food, great vibes.

By Friday, we were already meeting amazing people. We toured campus and met the Rice360 team, including Dr. Kelvin Holmes, our supervisor at OEDK, and other SEED student leaders like Erin and intern Helena over lunch. On Saturday, Helena, a fellow SEED intern, took us to the Houston Zoo at Hermann Park, where we saw a variety of wildlife creatures I’d only ever read about in books. It was definitely a highlight of my first week!

Sunday was peaceful, Daniel (a fellow international student from Nigeria) and I attended St. Mary’s Chapel to reset and reflect after a whirlwind few days.

Martel College — had to get a pic out front!

Lunch with SEED crew and RICE 360 members

Monday was our official kickoff. We met the full SEED crew, a wonderful mix of students and mentors. After some fun introductions and personality tests (mine revealed that I’m a calm and dependable team player who values structure, thinks critically, and confidently takes initiative when needed), we were introduced to a variety of exciting engineering projects. Each of us ranked our top two preferred projects out of the six available. However, Dr. Holmes later explained that we would be assigned to two specific team-based projects, meaning I’d get the chance to work with two different teams and explore two very different problems.

I was thrilled to be placed on two unique project teams. One of my project teams, Lights, Camera, Harvest!, is working on a high-tech farming challenge. We’re designing a compact camera system that can move vertically through a 70 inch tall hydroponic farm to monitor microgreens at every level, kind of like a robotic farmer with eyes on every tray. It sounds simple, but we have to make sure the camera can pan and tilt, survive heat and humidity, and connect with existing farm software. It’s a challenge, but an exciting one! Our goal is to reduce manual labor, speed up harvesting, and help make fresh food more accessible to local communities. I’ve never worked on something quite like this before, and it’s already stretched my design thinking and problem-solving skills.

And the second project team, The Eggcellent Imposters is a conservation technology initiative focused on protecting the endangered Attwater Prairie Chicken. In collaboration with the Houston Zoo, our team is developing a smart “tech egg” that closely mimics the size, weight, and appearance of a real egg. Inside, it houses miniaturized sensors and wireless transmitters designed to capture real-time data on temperature, humidity, light exposure, motion, and egg rotation. By collecting this data, we aim to gain a deeper understanding of the birds’ incubation behaviors and provide valuable insights to support more effective conservation strategies.

We met both of our projects clients, the ones we’ll be working with throughout the summer. For the farming project, we spoke with Navid and Lanham, the founders of Earti, to understand their needs. For the smart egg, we met Ric Urban, a bird curator of 35+ years, who gave us an inspiring tour of the bird habitats and even showed us a real Attwater Prairie Chicken egg. I led the questioning on behalf of my team, a moment I won’t forget.

Back at the lab, we’ve already started prototyping. The smart egg has proven to be a fun challenge, fitting all our electronics into such a tiny shell is no small task! But we 3D printed our first model and are making steady progress.
As I continue this journey, I’m also eager to explore new technical skills. Back home at the design studio in Nigeria, I’ve had some experience using tools like 3D printers and CNC machines, but I’m especially excited to learn about the more advanced and sophisticated equipment available here at the OEDK Design Kitchen. I’m particularly looking forward to working with SLA printers, CNC machines, lathes, and milling machines, tools I’ve mostly only read about or seen in action online. Getting hands-on experience with this level of machinery will be a huge opportunity to sharpen my engineering and manufacturing skills.

To cap off the week, we also had a laser cutting class, one of my favorite sessions so far. I designed a keychain as my first project, which was both fun and empowering. I plan to keep exploring laser cutting throughout the rest of my internship and use it to create more functional parts and design prototypes for my team’s projects.
I missed out on ice skating this Saturday (a stubborn headache!), but I had a cozy evening cooking ramen with American spices. It hit the spot!
One week in, and I already feel at home, learning, building, laughing, and growing every day. I’m beyond grateful to be here.

Navid explaining his need in the vertical farm

A special thank you to Rich and Janet Wheeler, I’m truly honored to be one of the students you’ve chosen to support. Your generosity is making it possible for me to explore my passion for engineering and real-world problem solving on a global stage. I look forward to sharing more of this incredible journey with you.
One week down. Six to go. Let’s make it count.

Reports from the USA

Rice360 Institute for Global Health Technologies

2025