Walters Students Win State National Engineering Design Competition
G.M. Walters Middle School Congratulations to Tavisha S. and Kanya A. - Thanks to Advisors Gray Bae, Randall KuhlmannÂ
1st Overall California! MESA USA National Engineering Design Competition brings together the top middle and high school MESA teams from around the nation to showcase projects that address community needs using a human-centered design approach and integrating a coding element.
PROJECT GOAL: According to the World Health Organization, 466 million people globally experience hearing loss. Music, a universal icebreaker, often becomes a barrier, deepening the social inclusion gap highlighted by UN Goal 10.2. Many hearing individuals hesitate to connect with HOH individuals, assuming the differences are too vast. By addressing this inequity, we can share the joy of music with those who may have never fully experienced it, fostering connection and inclusion across diverse communities.
HarmoniTouch is a soft, smart glove that translates music into dynamic, layered vibrations across the hand. Using real-time audio analysis, it separates a song into bass, tempo, snare, and rhythm, each mapped to distinct motor zones. This allows users to physically feel different parts of the music — deep pulses in the palm for bass, quick bursts on the fingertips for snare, and flowing patterns for tempo and rhythm. The result is an immersive, tactile musical experience. To respect sign language use, the glove is lightweight, flexible, and leaves fingers free for movement. It’s designed to be worn comfortably for long periods, with adjustable vibration strength based on user sensitivity. Our web app allows users to customize their music experience. By meeting the user’s desire for depth, comfort, and freedom, HarmoniTouch makes music more than heard or seen — it makes it felt.
(story from https://nedc.mesausa.org/team/california-2025/)
