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Abby's Patent Law Passion Project

Abby's Patent Law Passion Project

Science, Engineering & Technology

Robotics / Electronics / CAD

Start Date

January 2024

End Date

Ongoing

Sessions Completed

36 sessions

Assets

<div class="assets-links"><a class="assets-link" href="https://ucarecdn.com/cc9030b7-2be1-4141-949c-43db80d1b86c/"><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/605190260cb9b4c3a9de71c8/680115d2ef2b7533efbc7b88_Frame.svg"><div class="inter-400">Solution Landscaping</div></a><a class="assets-link" href="https://ucarecdn.com/3b82d886-b5bd-4adc-8da5-ad5fe1377956/"><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/605190260cb9b4c3a9de71c8/680115d2ef2b7533efbc7b88_Frame.svg"><div class="inter-400">Pugh Matrix</div></a></div>

Gallery

Student & Mentor

Student

<div class="student-mentor-item-div-top-info"><div class="inter-700 _20">Abby</div><div class="inter-400 _16 left-align">Grade 10</div></div>

Personality
Interests
Mentor

<div class="student-mentor-item-div-top-info"><div class="inter-700 _20">Vanessa Tam</div><div class="inter-400 _16 left-align">Duke University</div><div class="inter-400 _16 left-align">Biomedical Engineering</div></div>

Personality

<div class="student-mentor-item-div-tags-wrapp"><div class="case-study-pill bg-light-yellow"><p class="inter-400 _16">Supportive</p></div><div class="case-study-pill bg-light-yellow"><p class="inter-400 _16">Patient</p></div><div class="case-study-pill bg-light-yellow"><p class="inter-400 _16">Engaging</p></div><div class="case-study-pill bg-light-yellow"><p class="inter-400 _16">Inspiring</p></div></div>

Interests

<div class="student-mentor-item-div-tags-wrapp"><div class="case-study-pill bg-white"><p class="inter-400 _16">Biomedical Engineering</p></div><div class="case-study-pill bg-white"><p class="inter-400 _16">Patent Law</p></div><div class="case-study-pill bg-white"><p class="inter-400 _16">CAD Modeling</p></div><div class="case-study-pill bg-white"><p class="inter-400 _16">Research</p></div><div class="case-study-pill bg-white"><p class="inter-400 _16">STEM Education</p></div></div>

What They Set Out To Do

Abby, a motivated 10th grader, was eager to deepen her understanding of engineering and patent law. She sought a mentor who could guide her through complex concepts and help her develop practical skills in CAD design. Abby was particularly interested in exploring how engineering intersects with legal frameworks, aiming to launch a patent law blog as part of her passion project.

The Perfect Match

<div class="case-study-match-wrapper"><div class="match-item"><div class="apercu-mono-pro-700 _20">Passion for Engineering</div><div class="inter-400 _16 left-align text-black-80">Vanessa's deep understanding of engineering principles perfectly aligned with Abby's interests, fostering her growth in CAD design.</div></div><div class="match-item"><div class="apercu-mono-pro-700 _20">Insight into Patent Law</div><div class="inter-400 _16 left-align text-black-80">Vanessa's expertise in biomedical engineering and patent law inspired Abby to explore the intersection of these fields.</div></div><div class="match-item"><div class="apercu-mono-pro-700 _20">Empowering Leadership</div><div class="inter-400 _16 left-align text-black-80">Vanessa's supportive mentorship helped Abby gain confidence in her abilities and pursue leadership roles in her projects.</div></div></div>

Project Milestones

Defined Blog Purpose and Target Audience
January 2024
Established the foundational elements of a patent law blog, identifying the key purpose, target audience, and learning objectives. The blog aims to explore the intersection of patents and engineering, sharing knowledge with readers who have no prior understanding of these topics.
Published First Blog Post on Patent Fundamentals
February 2024
Created and published the inaugural blog post on Substack explaining the basics of patents, their purpose, and importance in protecting inventors and fueling innovation. The post incorporated visual elements and additional resources to enhance reader understanding.
Launched Patent Education Platform
February 2024
Established an online presence through the creation of a Substack blog titled 'Unlocking Patent Potential: Access and Innovation in Focus!' This platform serves as a foundation for sharing educational content about patents and engineering with the public.
Completed CAD Fundamentals Training
March 2024
Mastered the basics of Computer-Aided Design using OnShape, including sketching techniques, dimensioning, and constraints. Successfully created a 3D model of a Lego brick, demonstrating proficiency in translating 2D sketches into 3D objects.
Developed Python Programming Foundation
May 2024
Acquired fundamental Python programming skills including variables, data types, functions, and user input. Applied these concepts to create a functional program that calculates weight on Mars based on Earth weight, demonstrating practical application of coding principles.
Completed CPAP Data Analysis Project
June 2024
Designed and implemented a Python program to analyze CPAP machine data, incorporating data parsing, cleaning, and visualization techniques. The project demonstrated application of programming skills to solve real-world biomedical engineering problems.
Created First CAD Pill Dispenser Prototype
March 2025
Designed and 3D printed the first functional prototype of a pill dispenser for individuals with Parkinson's disease. The design incorporated user needs research and engineering principles to address the challenges of medication management for those with tremors.
Developed Advanced Hinged Lid Mechanism
April 2025
Created a sophisticated hinged lid design for the pill dispenser using advanced CAD techniques including projection geometry, tangent lines, and extrusion features. The mechanism addresses accessibility needs for users with limited dexterity while maintaining secure closure.

Skills Developed

  • CAD Design
  • Patent Law Understanding
  • Research Skills
  • Public Speaking
  • Project Management

Challenged Overcomed

  • Gained confidence in CAD software
  • Transitioned from concepts to prototypes
  • Learned to articulate engineering ideas
  • Navigated complex patent processes

What’s Next

Now equipped with a solid foundation in CAD and patent law, Abby is excited to continue her journey in engineering. She plans to refine her blog, sharing insights on patent processes and engineering innovations. Abby aims to further develop her leadership skills and engage with her peers in STEM initiatives, paving the way for future academic and career opportunities.

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