AJ Almaguer
Hayward, CA
Project: Community-Built Haunted House
AJ was the first in his family to go college and says “my time at UC Berkeley not only gave me technical skills but also helped me discover my love for engineering education.” AJ has been mentoring young people since his undergraduate days. A practicing mechanical engineer, he also runs the TechHive for young people ages 13-18 at UC Berkeley's Lawrence Hall of Science.
Hosted in the East Bay this fall under AJ’s leadership, the “Haunted House” event will celebrate the efforts of scientists, engineers, and designers creating something for the whole community to enjoy and learn from in a collaborative environment. Families walking through the Haunted House will first be able to enjoy the spooky exhibition. Then, in the Behind the Scenes section, they can explore the science behind the exhibits through hands-on activities and take-home projects.
The TechHive and K-12 students who assist in building these exhibits will gain experience working on an engineering project and feel pride in explaining the science behind their creations. This experience will help families see science and engineering come alive outside of the classroom, inspiring young people to see that STEM is both fun and accessible regardless of one’s socioeconomic background, propelling them to become budding scientists and engineers themselves.
Read an interview with AJ: Engineering Halloween Fun
Hayward, CA
Project: Community-Built Haunted House
AJ was the first in his family to go college and says “my time at UC Berkeley not only gave me technical skills but also helped me discover my love for engineering education.” AJ has been mentoring young people since his undergraduate days. A practicing mechanical engineer, he also runs the TechHive for young people ages 13-18 at UC Berkeley's Lawrence Hall of Science.
Hosted in the East Bay this fall under AJ’s leadership, the “Haunted House” event will celebrate the efforts of scientists, engineers, and designers creating something for the whole community to enjoy and learn from in a collaborative environment. Families walking through the Haunted House will first be able to enjoy the spooky exhibition. Then, in the Behind the Scenes section, they can explore the science behind the exhibits through hands-on activities and take-home projects.
The TechHive and K-12 students who assist in building these exhibits will gain experience working on an engineering project and feel pride in explaining the science behind their creations. This experience will help families see science and engineering come alive outside of the classroom, inspiring young people to see that STEM is both fun and accessible regardless of one’s socioeconomic background, propelling them to become budding scientists and engineers themselves.
Read an interview with AJ: Engineering Halloween Fun
