Resistorings

My journey into electrical engineering began in a high school Physics class. With little to no prior knowledge about circuits, terms like resistors, capacitors, and diodes felt like learning a new language. I quickly grew interested, especially during the hands-on labs where I could light up LEDs with just a few basic components: wires, resistors, a battery, and a breadboard.

This class was particularly impactful because it revealed how pervasive and essential electrical engineering is in our world. From power generation and consumer electronics to communication systems and medical technology, the field's broad influence became clear. This realization inspired me to pursue a degree in Electrical & Computer Engineering at The University of Texas at Austin.

However, during my first semesters, I was struck by the low number of women in my program. It was evident, especially in labs and classes, where I could easily count the female-identifying students in my classes. My advisors confirmed that electrical engineering had one of the lowest female-to-male ratios at UT, with just 11% of women pursuing the degree. While organizations like the Society of Women Engineers and Women in ECE provide crucial support and community, they primarily focus on retention rather than increasing accessibility to electrical engineering education for younger students.

This inspired me to launch Resistorings, a project that merges my excitement for circuits and jewelry to make electrical engineering concepts more accessible and engaging, particularly for kids. Through fun, lighthearted activities like creating personalized electrical jewelry, my goal is to spark interest in electrical engineering, especially among female-identifying students, and encourage them to pursue careers in the field.

Launching Resistorings involved building a website, designing a logo, and establishing partnerships with local STEM organizations such as the Girls Empowerment Network and the Society of Women Engineers. I also started a blog that features interviews with female-identifying ECE students, exploring their journeys into the field and what inspired them to pursue this degree.

As I maintained the platform, I developed the product itself in two parts: (1) designing the electrical jewelry, and (2) creating the educational curriculum for STEM workshops. In just a few weeks, I crafted simple, colorful electrical earrings using beads and resistors, selling them for less than $5 to engineering students, mentors, and family friends. The proceeds funded materials for playdough circuit activities, which I used to host workshops at STEM conferences, teaching kids about circuits. At the end of these workshops, each student received a pair of Resistorings as a reminder of the concepts they learned.

I enjoy tinkering with Resistorings and envision it growing into an instructable circuit jewelry kit for educators and parents. This experience has solidified my passion for EdTech and entrepreneurship, and I hope to continue innovating in this space.