Derek F
- Research Program Mentor

Industry expert at University of California Santa Barbara (UCSB)

Expertise

Hardware Software Engineering, Programming, 3D modeling, Hardware, Circuits, PCB Design, Coding Games, Robotics

Bio

Hello, I am an Electrical Engineer from University of California, Santa Barbara. Throughout college, I always enjoyed working on side projects. and it pushed me to learn things that were not taught in class. My projects always involved a combination of 3D modeling, programming, and circuit design. Luckily, my hobby is creating these projects. Since graduating, I've worked on several projects that have helped me realize how capable and creative I am. As someone from an underprivileged background, my passion is to teach others like me in hopes that I can help them find their passion. Aside from engineering, I also enjoy cooking and of course, eating. I believe that cooking different cuisines allows you to connect to your own roots and also catch a glimpse of others around the world.

Project ideas

Project ideas are meant to help inspire student thinking about their own project. Students are in the driver seat of their research and are free to use any or none of the ideas shared by their mentors.

Smart Indoor Garden

Create an Indoor Garden from scratch and learn to 3D model, create circuits, and program devices in order to make a smart indoor garden! At the end, you get to grow your own plants! Create 3D model for the garden's tank. Create a circuit to power the LEDs. Create programs that allow us to record data and control devices in our garden. Learn what it takes in order to grow plants indoors.

Python Soundboard

Learn how to create a soundboard from scratch! Learn to 3D model a case, design circuits, and program your soundboard to make cool sounds or beats. Learn how buttons work on any device. Create a 3D modeled case for your new soundboard. Write the code needed to make your soundboard work!

Robot Car

Create a robot car and learn to program motors and other sensors. Sensors can include distance sensors, IR sensors, cameras, light sensors, etc.

Python Games

Code your own game in Python! Games like snake, space shooter, etc.

Coding skills

Python, MATLAB, C/C++, Scratch 3,

Languages I know

Spanish native speaker

Teaching experience

Have taught kids ages 11-17 using several resources and different programs and programming languages. Have designed entire curriculums and guided projects from start to finish and designed tutorials, lessons, activities, etc. Have taught kids who are uninterested or entirely unfamiliar with topics. Have worked for over a year developing projects that can be taught with polygence.

Credentials

Work experience

Freelance (2022 - Current)

Owner/Mentor

Education

University of California Santa Barbara (UCSB)

BSE Bachelor of Science in Engineering (2021)

Electrical and Computer Engineering

Interested in working with expert mentors like Derek?

Apply now

Derek F - Research Program Mentor