Dr. Zhenyu Gan served as a faculty leader for Orange Works, Syracuse University’s innovative STEM education program that introduces local high school students to autonomous systems and artificial intelligence. Hosted by the University’s Autonomous Systems Policy Institute (ASPI), the program brought together talented students to build and program scale-model autonomous race cars.
Throughout the four-week initiative, students worked hands-on with advanced technology, learning to navigate complex challenges in robotics and AI. The program utilized workshop modules from MIT’s Beaver Works Summer Institute/Lincoln Laboratory, a renowned hub for autonomous systems innovation and STEM education.
As part of the Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering faculty team, Dr. Gan guided students through the technical aspects of autonomous vehicle design and programming. The students’ dedication culminated in a journey to MIT’s campus in early August, where they competed in the Beaver Works challenge against 10 other teams, including international participants from Greece and Japan.
The program exemplifies Syracuse University’s commitment to advancing STEM education and fostering innovation in the Central New York community. Through hands-on learning experiences, Orange Works prepares the next generation of engineers and technologists to shape the future of autonomous systems.
