Chaffey College Debuts Invention Internship Program
By: Erin Butts, Kiara Jerez and Sandra Slattery
This summer Chaffey is introducing the Invention and Inclusion Innovation Initiative, also known as the I3 program, to its students for the first time. I3 was introduced to Chaffey through the Lemelson MIT program. Lemelson MIT’s InvenTeams have tackled issues such as laundry machines for homeless people, litter on beaches and clean water in Kenya. The goal of the program is for the students to create an invention based on community needs.
The following 10 students were selected out of 65 applicants and will be working as interns: Brandon Anaya, Candy Qu, Gamel Johnson, Kuo Kang Tang, Manuel Carbajal, Michael Thomas, Nicholas Charland, Vicente Morales, Xochitl Escamilla and Kahlia Wells.
Michelle Dowd, Brian Atkinson and Mark Padilla are the three professors leading this program for the summer.
Dr. Mark Padilla, one of the three professors leading the I3 program, envisioned a life as a wide receiver on the Chaffey College football team. After some doubt about his football dream, he realized his mathematical skills flourished as he visited the math success center on campus. As he progressed in his math courses, he realized his passion for physics.
“This is what I’m meant to do,” says Padilla.
Padilla received his Ph.D. in particle physics from the University of California, Riverside. Padilla began teaching at various college and universities in Northern California until he decided to move back to Rancho Cucamonga with a full-time job opportunity to teach at Chaffey. Padilla has been teaching for 7 years.
Brian Atkinson, who works alongside Padilla received his Bachelor of Science in Music Composition and Theory from California State University, Fullerton. Not too late after, he received his Master of Business Administration from American Public University System.
The interns are currently in their second week of the eight week program and with few restrictions on what they can invent, the possibilities are endless.
For more information about the Lemelson MIT program visit: Developing Students' Creativity, Inventiveness and Problem-Solving Skills | Lemelson (mit.edu) or Chaffey College Joins State Innovation Initiative.