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CanSat: Bringing Engineering and Space to Classrooms

Four years from a curriculum sketch to a market-ready STEM platform — the workshops, pilots, and milestones along the way.

Engineering, taught the way it is actually practiced

CanSat is a hands-on STEM education program designed to provide middle and high school students with practical experience in multiple engineering disciplines through the design, assembly, testing, and launch of a simulated satellite. Rather than focusing solely on aerospace, the program exposes students to the interdisciplinary nature of real-world engineering.

Mechanical Engineering

Structural design, manufacturing, and system integration.

Electrical Engineering

Sensors, circuits, wiring, and data acquisition.

Coding & Embedded Systems

Programming microcontrollers, collecting and processing data.

Aerospace Engineering

Mission planning, flight systems, and satellite concepts.

Through project-based learning, students gain experience with the engineering design process, teamwork, problem-solving, prototyping, testing, and data analysis while completing a realistic engineering mission. The goal is to make engineering accessible, engaging, and inspiring for the next generation of innovators.

Timeline

  1. 2023–2024

    Program Concept & Curriculum Development

    • Identified a need for affordable, hands-on engineering experiences for K–12 students.
    • Developed the educational curriculum and learning objectives.
    • Designed the CanSat architecture, mission concept, and instructional framework.
    • Created lessons introducing students to mechanical design, electronics, programming, and aerospace systems.

  2. 2025

    First Prototype & Pilot Programs

    • Designed, built, and tested the first CanSat prototype.
    • Launched two pilot programs through Bucknell University and the Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit (CSIU).
    • Earned recognition from three local news outlets for innovation in STEM education and community engagement.

    100%

    of participants recommended the program

    95%

    reported increased understanding of different engineering disciplines

  3. 2026

    Expansion & Recognition

    Bucknell BizPitch Competition

    • Awarded 2nd Place Overall and the Changemaker Award.
    • Secured funding to support future growth and commercialization efforts.

    ASEE Annual Conference 2026

    • Led a hands-on educator workshop focused on building and implementing CanSat activities in classrooms.
    • Introduced engineering educators to the curriculum and instructional approach.
    • Received recognition for innovation in engineering education.

    Bucknell Engineering Camp

    • Implemented the CanSat curriculum for 75 middle and high school students.
    • Expanded program reach and collected additional feedback to refine the curriculum and kit design.

  4. 2027

    Planned

    Commercial Launch & Growth

    • Launch CanSat as a market-ready STEM education platform.
    • Expand adoption across schools, summer camps, makerspaces, and educational organizations.
    • Develop educator training resources and implementation guides.
    • Scale production of CanSat kits and curriculum packages.
    • Establish partnerships with educational institutions and STEM organizations to broaden impact.

Our Vision

To inspire the next generation of engineers by providing accessible, hands-on experiences that connect mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, coding, embedded systems, and aerospace engineering through one engaging project-based learning platform.

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