Katelyn Sweeney
Katelyn Sweeney wanted to take theater when she was mistakenly placed in a technology class that changed her life. It was there she met a teacher passionate about invention education, who inspired her to pursue a career in STEM. Katelyn’s newfound interest in engineering and helping others led her to projects in other countries, as well as meeting President Obama.
Inspired by their work with the Natick Fire Department, Katelyn and her fellow Lemelson-MIT InventTeam teammates designed, built, tested, and patented a Search and Rescue Robot. The remote controlled submersible rescue vehicle for ice divers, US Patent No 9,511,833 B2, was then presented at a Science Fair at the White House in 2014. Katelyn's newfound passion for engineering and helping others led her to healthcare engineering projects in Uganda, Kenya, and Ethiopia, as well as an internship with SpaceX.
Katelyn graduated from Massachusetts Institute of Technology with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and a minor in Entrepreneurship and Innovation. She is currently a mechanical engineer and mentors an all-girl robotics club in Palo Alto, California. Katelyn continues to spread her passion for invention and innovation, inspiring young girls across the country to pursue careers in STEM fields.