From Self-Taught to Yale: Mars Rovers & Soft Robots | VideotronicMaker LABS
October 11, 2025
// Arduino Science Fair Project
A High Schooler's Arduino STEM Fair Project from Scratch. code
Welcome to VideotronicMaker Labs, a curated collection of inspiring stories that celebrate the power of self-education and hands-on discovery explore. Here, you'll find everything from award-winning Arduino science fair projects to innovative Arduino STEM projects that blend AI and custom electronics developer_board. We focus on the personal growth and practical skills gained—the human story woven into every byte and wire person.
When I started VideotronicMaker, it was with the hope that I could one day do these kinds of projects with my kids family_restroom. My daughter, Hannah Padilla (BiotronicMAiker), is the first to fulfill that dream star, so it's fitting that her story is the first one I share.
With no prior formal STEM classes, she built a path from simple blinking lights lightbulb to award-winning research emoji_events. Her story is a powerful example of how a single spark of curiosity auto_awesome, guided by a strategic plan and modern tools construction, can achieve remarkable things rocket_launch.
Maker Snapshot
badge Maker Handle: BiotronicMaiker
workspace_premium Highlights: 1st Place, Regional STEM Fair; FIU Summer Research Intern
history Arduino Experience: Over 1.5 Years
event_upcoming Time Until College: ~7 Months to Graduation
checklist 2025-2026 Goals: Graduate High School, Get into her first choice university
Profile
badge Name: Hannah Padilla
cake Age: 17
pin_drop Location: USA
school Colleges: Florida Honors Colleges
biotech Intended Major: Biology
lab_profile Career Goal: Research Scientist
Achievements & Skills
emoji_events Honors: 1st Place, Regional STEM Fair
work_historyExperience: FIU CTE Summer Intern
developer_boardHardware: Arduino Uno R4 WiFi, Nano
terminalSoftware: Arduino, Gemini, Tinkercad
scienceLab Skills: Molecular Cloning, PCR
The Spark:
The "Christmas Tree Project"
May
2023
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Hannah’s journey began not in a classroom, but in our family car in May of 2023 with an Arduino Nano and a handful of LEDs. I had the components so I showed her some simple things while we were sitting and waiting. Her first challenge: build a 'Knight Rider' light chaser circuit—a project she affectionately nicknamed the "Christmas tree project.
She physically connected the circuit, and together, we used AI to generate the sketch. The moment she uploaded the code and the lights started scanning back and forth was the spark—the beauty of turning an idea into something real.
The Blueprint:
A Strategy for the Future
August
2023
A few months later, in August, our focus became strategic. We sat down to map out her path to college and created a Google Sheet we called the "College Hub" to track everything.
To build a standout resume, we decided to focus on tangible, hands-on projects. Her first, the Arduino Soil Moisture Sensor, was a foundational success, teaching her crucial skills and attracting over 4,600 views on Arduino Project Hub.
// The Research Phase:
A Race to the Finish Line
Building on her momentum, Hannah chose her next Arduino STEM project challenge: the Bioluminescent Night Light flare. This project, which would later gain over 6,000 views visibility, became a masterclass in the real, messy process of making. After a series of challenges—from debugging AI-generated circuits to correcting her own wiring mistakes—the prototype was a success check_circle.
January
2024
>
Then, in January, an unexpected opportunity arose. We discovered the regional STEM fair was just a month away event. After getting permission to register late, it became a race against time timer. In that frantic month, she upgraded every part of the prototype upgrade. The LED proxy was replaced with live dinoflagellates (Pyrocystis fusiformis) and a high-sensitivity light sensor biotech. She built the project on an Arduino Uno R4 WiFi, writing code to map live data to a dynamic animation on the board's LED matrix developer_board.
She made the deadline task_alt, and the project—a brilliant fusion of biology and engineering integration_instructions born from a last-minute scramble—won 1st Place in the Engineering category emoji_events.
An Open Door:
A Proactive Search to Discover a True Calling in Research
Her STEM fair victory bolstered her confidence as she began actively planning her future with college tours tour. This proactive search led to an invitation to apply to the FIU Center for Translational Science High School Summer Internship mail. It was the perfect next step to see if a career in research was her true calling explore.
A Summer of Science:
From Arduino Projects to a Professional Biomedical Lab
Chosen as one of just 20 students from over 1,000 applicants, Hannah was immersed in the world of professional biomedical research how_to_reg. In the Liu Lab, under Principal Investigator Dr. Ying Liu, M.D., Ph.D., she was directly mentored by Research Specialist Dr. Haipeng Xue and worked alongside Postdoctoral Associate Haiwei Zhang, gaining proficiency in advanced molecular cloning techniques lab_profile. Her task was to help develop a Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) to research NGLY1 deficiency, a rare genetic disorder genetics.
Her assignment in the Liu Lab was to help develop a Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) to research a rare genetic disorder genetics. The critical first step involved transferring the GFP into an entry vector, a precise task with no room for error precision_manufacturing. A critical experiment failed error. As she wrote in her college essay, "The defeat was crushing, but my curiosity was stronger" search. For Hannah, this experience was life-altering bolt. "While many interns valued their successful research," she explained, "I valued my misfortune. This moment of failure was the first step toward a bright future" rocket_launch.
// The College Dream:
Aiming for the Starscode
With a stellar academic record—including a 5.3 weighted GPA, over 40 dual enrollment credits, and 450+ volunteer hours—Hannah set her sights high star. Her dream was clear: to become a research scientist lab_profile. The journey to college applications was an intense "building" phase, involving crafting compelling essays and ensuring every document was submitted perfectly edit_document. Together, we meticulously worked on every detail, a collaboration she acknowledged upon submitting her applications: "I couldn’t have done this without you" favorite.
Hannah's journey is defined by more than just her accolades. The true transformation is evident in her mindset psychology. In her senior year, as a Chemistry TA, she was tasked with inventorying old microscopes for the school's STEM Coordinator, who had helped her submit her 1st place project. Learning the school was replacing the old equipment, and driven by a desire to "expand her knowledge in biology," Hannah asked for permission to have one. She chose a superior but broken model and resourcefully repaired it using parts from another microscope build. That microscope, now her personal research tool for future projects, is a perfect symbol of her journey: seeing potential where others see obsolete equipment and having the initiative to create the tools she needs insights.
Today, ranked 12th out of 842 students, Hannah continues to embody the "Learn with me, as I learn" spirit school. With Hannah busy managing her demanding dual enrollment classes and college applications, I stepped in to document her award-winning STEM Fair project, publishing the full story on Arduino Project Hub on her behalf. I then shared the project on my LinkedIn account public. In a moment that was both validating and deeply encouraging for the team, the official Arduino Education team in Italy discovered that LinkedIn post and reposted it to their own global network—a significant nod of support from the creators of the platform from which she launched her journey thumb_up.
From a simple sensor to an award-winning research tool, Hannah's story is a powerful reminder that with curiosity and persistence, a journey of self-taught ingenuity can lead to extraordinary places explore. And that journey is far from over. She is currently preparing her advanced research from the FIU internship for entry into the 2025-2026 regional STEM fair pending, with her sights set on the state-level SSEF and the prestigious International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) emoji_events.
Have an Inspiring Maker Story?
Have you embarked on a journey of self-taught discovery in Arduino, AI, or electronics, culminating in a project that truly speaks volumes? At VideotronicMaker Labs, we're eagerly seeking the compelling, personal odysseys of learning and creation that resonate with real-life impact.
We're not just looking for technical marvels; we yearn to hear the powerful narratives – how your dedication led to a science fair triumph, opened doors to higher education, or even brought about a profound change in your life. It's not the circuits' complexity, but the human story woven into every byte and wire that truly inspires us.
While platforms like Arduino Project Hub and Hackster.io are invaluable for showcasing project builds and technical details, VideotronicMaker Labs is uniquely dedicated to crafting a compelling feature story around *your* personal journey and its transformative impact.
