Over the summer, Mary M. ‘19 participated in the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, the most prestigious science fair of its kind for the high school level.

The science fair included individuals from 75 different countries who shared their inventions in Los Angeles, Calif. Mary’s invention was a tactile map which can be attached to the side of a crosswalk to help the visually impaired cross the street in a safer way. Her invention will give more detailed information about the type of intersection, directions and how much time is left to cross the street before the traffic lights change. Mary made three different prototypes and tested each one with 10 visually impaired people.

“There were higher ratings for each prototype, so that means I was improving the right [things] and making it better,” Mary said.

One of Mary’s teachers, Benjamin Lloyd, helped her throughout the process of creating her invention. He helped her mostly with the display of her presentation and producing the proper documentation for the science fair.

“The product development she did all on her own,”  Lloyd said.

From Mary’s prototype, she won a $48,000 scholarship to the University of Arizona at the Intel ISEF. She also won various awards at the district level including best engineering project, best 10th grade project, a scholarship for OSU Marion branch and the ASU sustainability award. Not only was she recognized for her achievement, but Mary said she learned what engineering really means.

“I think a lot of people [believe] engineering is the focus of making a product that’s efficient, and all about technology and math. It’s really about engineering for humanity,” Mary said.

She sees engineering as a way to be focused on the people rather than the product produced. Engineering is full of collaboration work and problem solving Mary said. She worked with a variety of professionals who helped her complete the final prototype to better the lives of the visually impaired.