From One Chapter to Six Continents
- Yuvi Parmar
- 49 minutes ago
- 4 min read
From a Small Room to a Hard Lesson
Empower and Connect began as a small club at Obra D. Tompkins High School. In our earliest meetings, we did not even have enough members to formally register. A few students met with ideas, notebooks, and a belief that service could be student led and meaningful. There were no guarantees, no recognition, and no roadmap. Only commitment.
As the organization grew, so did responsibility. With growth came leadership roles, including board positions meant to protect standards and guide chapters forward. At one point, a board member claimed work had been completed when it had not, shifting blame: the easy option. That moment tested the values we were built on. It forced us to confront a hard truth: impact cannot exist without accountability.
Rather than allow that moment to define us, we chose to learn from it.
A Capstone That Marked Real Growth
That decision led directly to our original chapter’s first official capstone project. With renewed structure, Andrew Man (Secretary, Empower and Connect Board) and Sanjita Kini (Director of Strategic Operations, Empower and Connect Board) stepped into leadership roles and rebuilt trust through action. They set clear expectations, followed through on commitments, and supported members consistently throughout the process.
Over 3 months, students worked on projects tied to real communities and real populations. They learned how to research responsibly, communicate findings clearly, and present their work with confidence. Every team delivered a strong presentation that reflected preparation, professionalism, and empathy. This was not surface-level participation. It was firsthand learning that required ownership and respect for the people being studied.
This capstone marked a shift. It showed what Empower and Connect looks like when leadership is present and standards are upheld.
SunGuard UV Exposure Monitor
Interdisciplinary Focus: Computer Science, Business, Biomedical Engineering, Engineering, Medicine, Law
The SunGuard UV Exposure Monitor is a low cost, solar powered wearable designed to help outdoor workers reduce the risk of skin cancer. Students developed a device that tracks ultraviolet exposure in real time and alerts users when safe limits are exceeded. The project combines engineering design, public health research, business modeling, and legal policy considerations to ensure the solution is affordable, scalable, and ethically deployable in global settings.
Vasovagal Syncope Response Device
The Beso project focuses on preventing fainting episodes caused by sudden drops in heart rate or blood pressure. Students designed a wearable that detects early physiological warning signs and delivers alerts to help users respond before losing consciousness. The project integrates medical research, biomedical sensor design, and user centered testing to address a common but underdiagnosed health condition.
Narcan Drone Initiative
The Narcan Drone Initiative explores how drone delivery systems can improve access to naloxone in opioid overdose emergencies. Students examined drone engineering, emergency medicine access, and regulatory policy to evaluate how this technology could reduce response times in underserved areas. The project emphasizes ethical deployment, public health impact, and policy feasibility.
Kinetic Steps Project
The Kinetic Steps Project turns human movement into renewable energy by capturing power from footsteps. Students designed floor based energy harvesting systems that can generate electricity for low power uses such as lighting in schools or public buildings. The project combines mechanical engineering, electrical systems, and sustainability research to explore practical applications of micro generation technology.
From One Chapter to a Global Network
Today, Empower and Connect has grown from that small room at Tompkins to over 1,200 members across more than 60 chapters on six continents. Each chapter runs one to eight projects rooted in local community needs while contributing to a shared global mission. Students lead initiatives in public health, education, engineering, and social impact, building skills that extend far beyond a meeting room.
Our capstone model reflects what we believe service should be. Students gain real project experience, leadership skills, public speaking practice, and a deep sense of responsibility to the communities they serve. The work is challenging, the standards are real, and the impact is measurable.
This first capstone represents more than a successful project. It represents growth, resilience, and a commitment to doing things the right way. From a handful of students to a global network, Empower and Connect continues to prove that student led work can be serious, ethical, and impactful.
Photo and Media Disclaimer
All photographs featured in this blog were taken by our chapter photographer, Jeana Jeong. We thank her for her continued professionalism and high quality work 😊.
All images are the property of Empower and Connect and are publicly posted with authorization. All members featured have signed media and liability waivers permitting the public use of photographs for nonprofit, educational, and promotional purposes. Images used in this blog are consistent with previously approved and published content.
Comments