My Leadership in Action project was with The Timothy Smith Network (TSN) in Boston, Massachusetts. TSN is a non-profit, community-based organisation dedicated to bridging the digital divide by providing underrepresented communities in Boston with access to technology and technology education. Since 2003, TSN has had a core mission to provide equitable access to technology and digital skills for the residents of Roxbury and the surrounding areas. I was especially drawn to the TSN placement as it allowed me to step into the role of instructor whilst improving my engineering knowledge and skills.

TSN plays a vital role not only in the Boston community, but also provides a strong model for the rest of the world. Beyond equipping interns with essential STEM and engineering skills, TSN empowers them to explore potential career paths, prepare for post-secondary education, and build confidence in their abilities. By providing these students access to this technology and teaching, and connections to many different companies (like Microsoft, the City of Boston, and the Boston News Network) prepare and offer them opportunities that many young people would not otherwise have access to. Personally, having lacked similar resources at that age, I found it especially inspiring to witness and be part of the opportunities TSN creates and experience the organisation’s impact firsthand.  

Through TSN’s Boston Design Academy (BDA), two summer programs were offered this year: Digital Design Intensive (DDI) and Tech Your Health (TYH). Both programs were taught by Laidlaw scholars and each consisted of approximately 15 interns between the ages of 13-18. DDI centred on digital creativity and communication whilst TYH on healthcare and technological devices, both through the use of 3D modelling programmes. I was an instructor for the TYH programme, and specialised in the 3D modelling and prototyping section.  

I initially applied to this LIA project as it truly aligned with my passion for healthcare and engineering.   

Being an architecture student at the University of Leeds, I have had much experience with 3D modelling, but in a very different way. Typically I am designing a new high rise building, or sustainable house for an English city, but never a new medical device. However, when I saw the TYH programme, I knew I needed to be a part of it. Through architecture, I have always aspired to design for the benefit of the local community, and designing healthcare devices truly aligned with this. Going into this experience, I was mainly excited to expand my engineering and modelling skills to solve healthcare problems, but over the six-weeks this experience had a much larger impact on me as a person.  

The Tech Your Health program was structured and taught in three sections; healthcare research, programming, and prototyping and 3D modelling. Each section was taught by a different Laidlaw scholar and I was responsible for leading the final section - which focused on teaching the students design through modelling software.  

In the first weeks of the program, the interns were educated on the current healthcare problems that people face, and more specifically to the area of Boston. This was important, not only for the interns but also for us scholars to realise the impact of the problems, the US healthcare system and how it affects the people of Boston. With most of us scholars not being from the US, it was extremely insightful and important to realise the different situations there and how they differ to the UK. From this, each student identified a healthcare problem that either interested them, or resonated with them personally, to focus on for their project’s design. 

Over the next couple of weeks, the interns were introduced to programming. Overall skills were taught to get the interns comfortable with the software and the Arduino. I then introduced the students to the 3D modelling software, Fusion360. Through a series of progressively challenging activities of modelling different objects, they developed a strong foundation of the software and more advanced skills. Whilst focusing primarily on the interns engineering and modelling skills, I also taught them about the broader context of healthcare access and politics to encourage them to adapt their designs with real-world constraints in mind. Once the students had developed their understanding and skills of the software, we discussed potential devices that would solve their chosen healthcare problem. Once each student had chosen a device, I helped them to design it more precisely and move into Fusion360. In this software, I helped them to refine and adapt their designs into precise 3D models. Once completed, these were brought to life through 3D printing. Each student's design was printed and brought to life in time for the end of year showcase. Through this 2-day event, each student got to show off their design and corresponding presentation to each guest.  

One of the students I worked with in particular exceeded all expectations by taking on the challenge of creating a prosthetic hand. Drawing on James’s exceptional knowledge and skills, we were able to design and 3D-print a functional prosthetic hand within six weeks. The design incorporated a string-and-pulley system to replicate the movement of real fingers. Although the model was a simplified version of a prosthetic hand, witnessing the student successfully complete such an ambitious project in this timeframe was truly impressive.  

Teaching these concepts and software skills was quite challenging, especially with each student having an independent and unique aim and design. However, as their instructor, seeing all of the students' hard work pay off when they brought their ideas to life and even pitched them to even the charity sponsors made every second worth it.  

Stepping into the role of a teacher proved to be much harder than I had initially anticipated. Each student came with their own learning style, needs and expectations that I felt I needed to meet in every lesson. Luckily, in these hard moments, I had the support of my fellow Laidlaw scholars and supervisor, James Tukpah. However, once I had taught them for a few days, I learnt how to navigate the students better and adapted my lessons to what they wanted and their interests to ensure they had fun at the same time as learning. I also gained respect and empathy from the interns from sharing my own concerns and engaging with them on more of a personal level. Therefore, whilst I had to give the interns a fair amount of time and attention, they also gave this to me. My confidence and teachership style were improved immensely throughout this process - which would ultimately not have been possible without the positive feedback and great relationships I made with the interns and my supervisor. The experience not only strengthened my leadership skills, but also taught me how to create an inclusive learning environment with skills that can be transferable to new careers in the future.   

Working with students, and other scholars, from different cultures was challenging at the start. Only ever having been educated in England, the ways of teaching were different to what I had experienced and expected. Even the interns being of a high school level forced me to change my lesson plans and the English phrases that I use all the time. However, teaching students of different cultures, and living in their city was an invaluable learning experience for me that was only made possible by TSN.    

My goals as an instructor extended beyond teaching the interns 3D programming skills. I wanted the students to also grow in their confidence, ambition for their future, and curiosity about the world. Through the TYH program, we discussed the US healthcare system, the challenges many face, and how these issues compare globally. During the Friday field trips, we also showed the interns different future education and career options to show them that their paths do not have to be confined to the Boston area, or what the people around them have done. By the end of the program, I felt very attached to all of the students. The end of year showcase proved their dedication and effort throughout the summer and made me proud to see what we all managed to create.  

This experience had a profound impact not only on me but also on the students involved. Many of the interns came from backgrounds where access to the technology and instruction provided by the TYH programme and TSN is limited. The significance of this opportunity became especially clear during the end of year showcase.  

The other TYH interns and I were given the responsibility of selecting two students to receive personal laptops. One of the students we chose was Michael. While his prototype may not have been the most technically advanced, he consistently demonstrated a contagious positivity, arriving each day with a bright smile and an eagerness to learn. During breaks, he used the programme laptop provided by TSN to create digital drawings, and we felt he would benefit greatly from having a device of his own - especially since beside this opportunity, he otherwise could not acquire one.  

On the final presentation day, we presented Michael with the laptop. When his name was announced, he was both surprised and overjoyed. His mother and brothers shared in his excitement, and the moment was deeply emotional for everyone present. It was one of the most meaningful experiences I have been part of, and a memory that will stay with me for years to come.  

Through this experience, my leadership skills developed significantly. During the first week of teaching, I took the time to honestly evaluate my leadership style and adapt it to meet the needs of the interns. This period of reflection allowed me to better understand both my approach to teaching and how to foster innovation and creativity, while ensuring that students remained engaged and enjoyed the learning process. Additionally, I strengthened my emotional intelligence, using it to build meaningful connections and collaborate more effectively with the students.  

My time at TSN was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life so far. Beyond my work with TSN, I spent most of my time with the other Laidlaw scholars. Around work we got to explore Boston together and what the ‘American life’ is like. Exploring Harvard and MIT, the city itself, and all the food it had to offer really made me feel like I belonged in Boston. TSN gave us an unforgettable experience of attending a Red Sox baseball game. Never having been to a baseball game, which was evidenced by the constant Googling of the rules throughout the game, I got to experience not only a winning game for the Red Sox, but the singing and support of an American sports game.  

One weekend we went to New York City. My first time in the city was an intense one; we spent 48 hours visiting each of the sites and experiencing everything the city had to offer. The sheer scale of the city and each high rise was shocking to see in real life. I felt like I spent most of my time looking into the sky than anywhere else. The energy and excitement of the place made me fall in love and realise that I have to live there one day.    

Prior to this experience, I had not worked in either the healthcare or teaching sectors. However, I approached the opportunity with a strong foundation in 3D modelling and an enthusiasm to explore a new role and profession. Over the six-week period, I valued the chance to learn about a different healthcare system and to better understand its impact on individuals, particularly those from minority backgrounds.  

Since completing my LIA, I have recognised a strong interest in pursuing a career in engineering within the healthcare sector. Witnessing the direct, positive impact on people’s lives is deeply rewarding and offers a sense of purpose that can sometimes be less visible in fields such as architecture. As a result, while studying in Leeds, I now volunteer with the UK charity REMAP, supporting individuals with disabilities to live more independently by designing custom-made devices and equipment.  

I can confidently say that my experience with LIA and TSN has significantly influenced my future career aspirations and continues to shape the work I pursue today.     

My Leadership in Action project is something that I will never forget. TSN has had a profound impact on me, not only in terms of my growth as a leader, but also in shaping how I view my own future. The program opened my eyes to new possibilities and career paths, and has left me very grateful for the chance to contribute to such meaningful and impactful work. It has also opened my eyes to potential new careers and inspired me to do something in my life that truly fulfils me and helps others. The entire experience was a lesson that I will remember not only for the rest of my studies, but also for my personal life.