Authentic Research & Ventures
Student Research & Ventures
Students pursue authentic research and innovation ventures that address real-world challenges. Working alongside university faculty, researchers, physicians, engineers, and industry mentors, they investigate meaningful questions, develop innovative solutions, and create lasting impact.
Biomechatronics
Forest Lake Academy
Valex Evans began his AE4 journey in the sixth grade, where he developed a passion for engineering and biomedical innovation. As an AE4 Innovation Scholar, he designed and built an original EMG-powered robotic hand that uses electrical signals from the muscles to control movement. His pioneering project helped him secure a prestigious internship with Limbitless during his freshman year of college, where he contributed to the development of advanced prosthetic technologies. Today, Valex serves as a Systems Engineer at E-ONE, demonstrating how early engagement in authentic biomechatronics research can inspire students to pursue impactful careers in engineering and medical technology.
Original N95 Mask
Forest Lake Academy
During the COVID-19 pandemic, AE4 students designed and 3D printed an original reusable N95-style respirator to address the critical shortage of personal protective equipment. Working through the engineering design process, students researched respirator design, developed prototypes, and refined their designs through iterative testing. The final prototype successfully passed an OSHA Qualitative Fit Test (QLFT) conducted at AdventHealth, demonstrating an effective facial seal by using the wearer's ability to detect a test agent as verification of proper respirator fit.
AI for Alzheimer's Care
Forest City Christian School
Motivated by her grandmother's struggle with Alzheimer's disease, eighth-grade AE4 student Luna researched how computer vision and artificial intelligence could recognize family members and provide personalized prompts to help her grandmother identify loved ones. Her work exemplifies AE4's commitment to using technology to solve meaningful human challenges.
Food Insecurity & Community Garden Initiative
Forest Lake Academy
Beginning her AE4 journey in the fifth grade, Kaitlyn Keller partnered with AdventHealth to address food insecurity by developing a community garden initiative. Mentored by the former Director of Oakwood Farms, she explored the connections between nutrition, community health, and sustainable food systems while creating a solution to improve access to fresh produce. Today, Kaitlyn is pursuing a degree in Nursing at Southern Adventist University, continuing her passion for improving the health and well-being of others.
Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) Research
Forest Lake Academy
AE4 student Tai Henley investigated how Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) technology can be used to better understand how the human brain works. Collaborating with an IBM Software Engineer and physicians from Loma Linda University, she explored the intersection of neuroscience, artificial intelligence, and biomedical technology, demonstrating how interdisciplinary research can advance our understanding of the brain and its potential applications in healthcare.
Physical Therapy
Forest Lake Academy
Brenden Henley and Fabian Lubis partnered with Tera Young, DPT, to address an unmet need in the physical therapy industry. Drawing on Dr. Young's firsthand clinical experience, the team founded Two Way Thinking to develop an innovative solution to a real-world challenge faced by physical therapists. Their collaboration exemplifies the AE4 approach of bringing together students, healthcare professionals, and entrepreneurs to transform industry challenges into meaningful innovations.
GoBabyGo Mobility Initiative
Forest Lake Academy
In partnership with the University of Central Florida Department of Physical Therapy, AE4 students participated in the GoBabyGo initiative, modifying battery-powered ride-on vehicles to provide customized, low-cost powered mobility for young children with mobility disabilities.
Bio-Tissue Holder for Robotic Heart Surgery Training
Forest Lake Academy
AE4 students Cole Hilliard and Aiden Forbes collaborated with Peter Carnegie, CEO of Minimally Invasive Solutions, to design a bio-tissue holder used in physician training for robotic mitral valve repair. The device became a component of a surgical training course that teaches physicians how to perform minimally invasive mitral valve procedures using the da Vinci® Surgical System, providing students with the opportunity to contribute to real-world medical innovation.
Microplastics and Human Health
Forest Lake Education Center
As a seventh-grade AE4 student, Amaya Phelps launched a research project investigating the impact of microplastics on the human body. Building on her initial research, she is now collaborating with Dr. Russ Butler, Director of Population Health Studies at AdventHealth University, to further develop her work and prepare her findings for publication in a peer-reviewed scientific journal.
Backpack Ergonomics Research
Forest City Christian School
As a seventh-grade student at Forest City Christian School, Kailny Santana investigated the impact of heavy backpacks on young children. Through research and human-centered design, she developed an innovative solution to help reduce strain and improve student health, demonstrating how young innovators can address everyday challenges through STEM and engineering.
Phantom Limb Rehabilitation Using Virtual Reality
Forest Lake Academy
AE4 students investigated the use of virtual reality as a therapeutic tool for individuals experiencing phantom limb pain. Their research explored how immersive VR environments can support rehabilitation by helping retrain the brain's perception of a missing limb, highlighting the potential of technology to transform patient care.
Physical Computing Research Project
Forest Lake Academy
AE4 alumnus Edward Gonzalez is conducting research on the development of an intelligent glove for a game-based physical therapy system. By combining wearable sensors, microcontrollers, and software, the glove captures hand and finger movements that can be integrated into interactive therapeutic games. The project explores how physical computing can make rehabilitation more engaging while providing clinicians with meaningful data to monitor patient progress.
P.O.L.E., LLC
Forest Lake Academy
An AE4 alumnus transformed a family challenge into a business opportunity after developing CAD design skills through the AE4 Fundamentals of Innovation course. When his father asked him to create a solution for his plumbing business, he designed an innovative product that ultimately became the foundation for P.O.L.E., LLC. His story illustrates how AE4 students use design thinking, engineering, and entrepreneurship to create solutions that extend far beyond the classroom.
Ivey Lane Elementary STEM Event
Forest Lake Academy
On March 2, 2023, AE4 students from Forest Lake Academy partnered with the Altamonte Springs Chapter of The Links, Incorporated to inspire the next generation of innovators through a hands-on robotics and innovation presentation for more than 150 students at Ivey Lane Elementary School. Invited by Dr. Janet Travis, President of the Chapter, AE4 students demonstrated robotics technologies, shared their innovation projects, and encouraged young learners to explore future careers in STEM and innovation. This outreach experience reflects AE4's commitment to developing students who not only solve real-world problems but to inspire and serve their communities.
Inclusive Toy Design for Children with Disabilities
Innovus Innovation Center
At just 9 years old, an Innovus AE4 student conducted research and developed a prototype toy designed to make play more accessible for children with disabilities. In collaboration with the Remarkable Foundation for Cerebral Palsy, the student applied empathy, design thinking, and engineering to create an inclusive solution that promotes engagement, independence, and joyful play for every child.
Blue Ocean Cosmetics
Forest Lake Academy
A Forest Lake Academy AE4 alumna, Shelby Simmons launched Blue Ocean, a pre-stage cosmetics startup, through her personalized multi-year competency-based learning pathway. Her entrepreneurial journey included completing a specialized course in the Chemistry of Cosmetics, where she studied formulation science, cosmetic ingredients, product development, and the chemistry behind skincare and beauty products. She then applied this knowledge to develop her own brand, integrating entrepreneurship, product design, branding, market research, and business strategy into an authentic learning experience. Her experience demonstrates how AE4 empowers students to pursue personalized pathways that connect academic learning with real-world innovation and entrepreneurship.
Neurorehabilitation Research Project
North Tampa Christian Academy
AE4 students at North Tampa Christian Academy (NTCA) conducted research on the development of an innovative rehabilitation device designed to address left neglect, a neurological condition that commonly affects stroke survivors. Working alongside a Ph.D. researcher from the University of South Florida, students investigated the clinical challenges associated with left neglect and applied the engineering design process to design and prototype a potential rehabilitation solution.
Biomedical Engineering Research Project
Florida Conference Institute for Leadership and Innovation
While a student at Forest Lake Academy, AE4 alumnus Garen Miller conducted a biomedical engineering research project focused on improving assistive technology for individuals with drop foot, a condition that affects a person's ability to lift the front of the foot while walking. Inspired by his grandfather's experience, Garen used the Design Thinking process to identify limitations in the prosthetic device his grandfather relied upon and recognized opportunities for innovation. He developed a prototype for an improved prosthetic device aimed at enhancing comfort, mobility, and functionality.
Wearable Heart Health Innovation
West Palm Beach Junior Academy
Inspired by the loss of a beloved teacher to a heart attack, AE4 students from West Palm Beach Junior Academy turned tragedy into a mission to help others. The young innovators researched cardiovascular health and designed a wearable device concept to monitor heart-related indicators and alert the user to potential concerns—demonstrating how empathy can become the starting point for meaningful innovation.
Autonomous Home Security Drone
Forest Lake Academy
AE4 students explored the future of home security through drone technology, researching how an autonomous aerial system could help homeowners monitor and protect their property. Students developed a security drone concept and prototype, applying engineering, programming, and design thinking to transform their vision into a potential real-world solution.
VR for Patient Health Education
Forest Lake Academy
AE4 students from Forest Lake Academy partnered with Genentech Pharmaceuticals to explore how virtual reality could transform patient education. Students designed a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) VR application that demonstrated how immersive technology could help patients better understand health information—connecting innovation, healthcare, and emerging technology to a real-world industry challenge.
Diabetes Research
West Palm Beach Junior Academy
8th-grade AE4 student Mateo from West Palm Beach Junior Academy transformed an interest in diabetes into an authentic research and innovation project. By investigating a real-world healthcare challenge and developing an innovative solution, his work earned 1st Place at InnovationX 2026—showcasing what happens when students use their learning to solve problems that matter. He did the research because his grandfather and cousin have diabetes.
Vibration-Guided Postural Correction: Addressing Pusher Syndrome
Orlando Junior Academy
Students from Orlando Junior Academy (OJA) researched Pusher Syndrome and developed a prototype vibration-guided wearable device to provide tactile feedback for postural correction during rehabilitation. Their innovative solution earned 1st Place in the STEM+C Research Category, Grades 6–8 Division, at InnovationX 2026, demonstrating how young innovators can apply technology and engineering to real-world healthcare challenges.
Stroke Rehabilitation Wearable — Haydee Colon
Forest Lake Academy
Haydee Colon began her AE4 Innovation journey in eighth grade at Forest City Elementary School. Now a junior at Forest Lake Academy, she is developing an innovative wearable stroke rehabilitation device. Through the AE4 Innovation Scholar pathway, Haydee has collaborated with Ph.D. researchers from Loma Linda University to advance her research and prototype, demonstrating the potential of student innovation to address real-world healthcare challenges.
Fine Motor Skills Through Play
Innovus Innovation Center
Chris Ambes conducted research focused on helping children with severe autism develop fine motor skills through play. Using the Design Thinking process, Chris designed and prototyped an interactive toy intended to encourage hand movement, grasping, coordination, and object manipulation. His research explored how purposeful toy design can create engaging opportunities for children with autism to practice essential fine motor skills while participating in a fun, accessible activity.