MIT LEMELSON INVENTEAM MONTHLY REPORT #1 KIPP HOUSTON HIGH SCHOOL INNOVATIVE AND ECO-FRIENDLY PAINT THAT REDUCES

HARMFUL POLLUTANTS Invention Statement What is the latest version of your Invention Statement? TOX AWAY promotes the reduction of harmful pollutants in the atmosphere when painted on outdoor or indoor surfaces. Given the ubiquity and functionality of paint, TOX AWAY can improve the aesthetics of man-made structures while also improving air quality via a medium that has wide potential for use. The prototype cost will be about $35.00 - $45.00, but as we refine the process and produce in bulk, the target price will lower to around $ 25.00, which is the average cost of a gallon of commercial paint.

What parts changed? Why did they change? Out team decided to continue to focus on three inorganic gaseous by-products of industrial activities and fossil fuels - NOx, SOx, and CO2. As the team was researching about the equipment used in determining the concentration of SOx gases in air, several members read about volatile organic compounds (VOC) that are known carcinogens. These VOCs can be measured by a simple gas chromatograph, thus will not require the team to find a laboratory that has the capacity of determining parts per million concentrations of SOx and NOx gases. The gas chromatograph equipment is affordable and within the budget of the school, thus can be purchased through the school funds. However, since the members of the team are not trained to handle VOCs (and most of them are known carcinogens) the team decided to scrap the idea. The engineering group is also developing the protocol for testing the efficiency of the paint on different surfaces. As of this time, the group has created wooden boxes for product testing but still has to decide on the thickness of the surface coating.

MIT LEMELSON INVENTEAM MONTHLY REPORT #1 KIPP HOUSTON HIGH SCHOOL INNOVATIVE AND ECO-FRIENDLY PAINT THAT REDUCES HARMFUL POLLUTANTS

Progress during last month What did you accomplish this past month? The purchasing and finance group bought the initial supplies needed by the engineering team paint, chemicals, brushes, etc. They also are currently developing the strategy for fundraising and promoting the group to potential local business and corporate sponsors. Moreover, the team has drafted its organizational goals and began its fundraising by selling smack items to KIPP Houston High School Students. The engineering group, on the other hand, has decided on the initial paint product formulation. This means that the team is currently testing the efficiency of the paint and will make the determination of the final product recipe based on the results of the product testing. Though the team met multiple problems such as finding the appropriate equipment for the task, the group began its CO2 absorption testing using Vernier CO2 gas probe ware and found that the modified paint is effective in absorbing carbon dioxide. Finally, the publicity group has created a newsletter that highlights the team, which is attached at the end of this report. The publicity group has emailed potential stakeholders and created a website that highlights the teams activities and accomplishments.

How does this compare to the goals you set? Overall, our team is somewhat behind the set goals at the beginning of the year. This is due to several issues encountered by the members conflict with academic work and other extracurricular schedules. Moreover, the team members do not have all the skills to address the issues met as the team begun working on the project. For example, several team members struggled in developing a plan for reaching out to potential sponsors. Though the team met several setbacks due to the aforementioned issues, most of the goals set by the team were met and addressed. What were some moments that you were proud of? The team completed a webpage and donations page. Though the publicity group did not have the expertise in website design, they were able to create a simple website that highlights the teams events and accomplishments.

MIT LEMELSON INVENTEAM MONTHLY REPORT #1 KIPP HOUSTON HIGH SCHOOL INNOVATIVE AND ECO-FRIENDLY PAINT THAT REDUCES HARMFUL POLLUTANTS The financial and fundraising committee raised more than $600.00 within a month by selling snacks to students after school and during lunch. This fundraising event was the result of the concerted effort of everyone in the team. What were some unexpected moments? One unexpected moment for the group was when the teams scheduled meeting with some graduate students and research professor at a local university to discuss our project was cancelled multiple times at the last minute due to some scheduling issue. The professors and their laboratory group postponed the meeting multiple times, which affected the team timeline and led to setbacks in designing the product formulation. The group decided to find other ways in testing the product prototypes and through resourcefulness and research, the group developed research strategies that addressed the problem.

What were some moments where you overcame obstacles? The team encountered multiple problems from cancellation of research work schedules to some team members unable to complete the assigned work on time. The group pressed on facing the concerns by confronting the issue and addressing the problems through team one-on-one meetings or group brainstorming and problem-solving meetings. Recently, some of the team members failed to complete the team roster and progress report as the committee head became busy with school work. The team rallied around to help the team leader and thereby completed the missing task.

Goals for upcoming month What do you want to accomplish this month? The engineering group is in contact with various local engineering professors for research support and mentorship through the use of their laboratory equipment for gaseous concentration measurements. The finance group are in the end process of writing extensive letters for major corporations for project sponsorship so that the team can travel to Boston, MA for the June 2012 Eureka Fest. In addition, the group has been raising funds and was able to raise more than $600.00 by selling snacks after school or during school-sponsored athletic events.

MIT LEMELSON INVENTEAM MONTHLY REPORT #1 KIPP HOUSTON HIGH SCHOOL INNOVATIVE AND ECO-FRIENDLY PAINT THAT REDUCES HARMFUL POLLUTANTS The publicity group will continue to update the team website and publish the monthly team newsletter. In addition, the publicity group will coordinate with the various team committees to complete the monthly postings to the Lemelson-MIT InvenTeam Project Coordinator and Education Officer( Mr. Justin Lai and Ms. Leigh Estabrooks).

What issues or challenges might come up? What happens if you don't meet these goals? (Backup or contingency plans) The teams current concern is finding the equipment that will allow the team to test the efficiency of the paint. As of today, the team is still waiting on the Houston Diesel Center on its promise of support to the team. If the group fails to find a laboratory that will allow the team to conduct its product testing, then the group will revise its project statement and will focus on CO2 absorption as the testing equipment is readily available at KIPP Houston High School. Moreover, the team can also change the formulation in order to focus on CO2 absorption of the paint and not on NOx and SOx gases.

Networking Who have you met with? (email, call, visited, etc.) The team have met with Mr. Feinberg, the co-founder of KIPP, Dr. Jeffrey Rimer of the University of Houston, KIPP Synapse representatives, and several Rice University graduates and professors. What sorts of interactions did you have? Rice University graduate students met with the group to inquire and advise the team about its InvenTeam project. The rest of the meetings were mostly to congratulate and support the team.

What are your goals in terms of sponsorship, fundraising, getting your story known, etc.? By spring break, we should have raised, or received, at least $8,000. We also will be keeping our webpage concerning this project and competition updated on a daily basis, so that people that may browse on the internet can read about who we are, what our goals and missions are, and things we plan to do in the future. Concerning our prototype, before spring break, we should

MIT LEMELSON INVENTEAM MONTHLY REPORT #1 KIPP HOUSTON HIGH SCHOOL INNOVATIVE AND ECO-FRIENDLY PAINT THAT REDUCES HARMFUL POLLUTANTS have at least four effective prototypes and our final product should be completed before the start of April. Teamwork How well has the team been working together? Our teams has been working together very well and are developing a stronger bond amongst ourselves every day as we continue to reach our end goal. Because we have a mission and vision of where we want to be and what we want to do by the time this competition is over, we are striving to help each other in every way possible to succeed. What meetings outside working on the prototype directly have there been? We have had meetings about the business plan of this paint innovation. What are ways to improve teamwork and communication? Some ways we can improve teamwork is to continue to stay focused and try to eradicate any distractions we may have outside of this competition such as sports, college applications for seniors, and other science projects we are all involved in. One way to improve communication within the group is for everyone to find a way to reach out for help if needed instead of making the excuse of certain people not being able to contact one another.

Needs What are specific ways that Lemelson-MIT can help? Whether it is technically related or about the IT process. Currently, the team is waiting for its contact at the University of Houston for the schedule of the use of the CO2, NOx, and SOx gases measurement. The group will definitely be in touch with Mr. Lai and the Lemelson-MIT when this partnership/support fails to materialize.

Any other questions? Invention is all about continuously asking questions. When are we going to receive our team T-shirts?

MIT LEMELSON INVENTEAM MONTHLY REPORT #1 KIPP HOUSTON HIGH SCHOOL INNOVATIVE AND ECO-FRIENDLY PAINT THAT REDUCES HARMFUL POLLUTANTS

Appendices Upload any pertinent files via Team Access, like the latest CAD, or summary of experiments, or summary of calculations. If there is anything in particular that you would like me to pay attention to, please email. Otherwise, the uploading is more for your sake as a backup. Compress all additional appendix files into one .ZIP file per month.