Maya Baireddy | STEAM portfolio
I’m a high school researcher, roboticist, and maker passionate about using science and technology to solve real-world problems and expanding access to engineering education for the next generation through hands-on learning. My work spans AI-driven rescue robotics, astrophysical simulations, and sustainable engineering, driven by a mission to innovate, collaborate, and create lasting impact.
Engineering Robotics Projects
RoboCup Junior Rescue Bot
An autonomous rescue robot developed by team “MAJIC” (3-member team) engineered for the RoboCup Junior Rescue Line competition, designed to simulate real-world search-and-rescue operations. The robot navigates complex courses, detects obstacles, and identifies simulated victims using a combination of precision sensors, computer vision, and embedded control systems. It integrates mechanical design, electronics, and programming into a cohesive platform capable of tackling ramps, debris, and variable terrain with speed and accuracy.
Awards: 1st Place in USA – RoboCup Junior Americas Super Regionals | Mercersburg, PA | April 2025
My Role:
I led the mechanical design and fabrication of the robot, creating all custom 3D-printed components in Autodesk Fusion 360, including sensor mounts, chassis structures, and modular support brackets. I oversaw hardware integration and assembly, ensuring precise alignment of sensors and drive systems for optimal performance.
Also I developed the evacuation-zone hardware system, designing a stable and responsive victim-collection mechanism tailored to competition requirements.
My focus was on developing a lightweight, modular chassis and custom silicon-molded wheel tires, enabling reliable traction and stability over ramps, speed bumps, and uneven terrain while allowing quick adaptability during testing and competition.
The Rescue Bot was developed for the RoboCup Junior Rescue Line League and competed at the 2025 RoboCup Junior Americas Super Regionals and RoboCup International Competition in Salvador, Brazil.
Technical Specification Document
Video presentation and competition run
RoboCup Junior OnStage – “Arnold”
An interactive AI-driven robotics project developed by team “JAM Session” (3-member team) that interprets American Sign Language (ASL) and transforms it into music played on a piano using a fully autonomous robotic system.
Arnold uses a camera-based machine learning model trained to recognize ASL gestures in real time. Recognized signs are translated into digital signals that drive custom-designed robotic fingers, enabling expressive musical output. The project bridges AI, mechatronics, and accessibility, advancing inclusivity for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing communities through emotional, human-machine collaboration.
Awards:
- 2nd Place – RoboCupJunior International Competition, Eindhoven, Netherlands | July 2024
- 1st Place – RoboCupJunior USA National Competition, Edison, NJ | May 2024
My Role:
Designed and implemented the real-time ASL recognition system using Python, OpenCV, and TensorFlow, enabling the robot to interpret hand gestures with high accuracy.
Modeled components in Autodesk Fusion 360, 3D-printed mechanical assemblies, and integrated servos and sensors for smooth motion control.
Conducted end-to-end testing to ensure synchronized gesture-to-sound translation, optimized servo movement accuracy, and ensured synchronized performance.
Created a modular component library available on https://makerworld.com/en/@mayob/upload for reproducibility and collaboration.
Technical Resources:
Technical Specification Document and Code Repository on GitHub
International Super Team Challenge (USA–China–Germany teams)
Technical Talk: RoboCup OnStage 2024 Presentation
Rapid Prototyping & Fabrication Projects
Robo Cup Junior Practice Field Construction
- Designed and fabricated competition-standard practice fields replicating official Robo Cup Junior Rescue Line environments.
- 3D-modeled and printed ramp and seesaw components to precise scale using Fusion 360.
- Built wooden tables and tile-based paths, incorporating modular ramps for scenario variation.
- Implemented a custom “Path Challenge” design aligned with international field specifications for advanced team practice.
Piano-Playing Robot “Arnold” – Modular Prototyping
- Prototyped and iteratively improved the mechanical design of Arnold, the piano-playing robot used in the JAM Session performance.
- Engineered the system to be easily assembled and disassembled for safe international transport and on-site reconfiguration.
- Focused on mechanical durability, precise servo calibration, and rapid deployment, using 3D-printed joints and lightweight structural supports.
Welding and Metal Fabrication
- Practiced T-joint welding and metal frame fabrication, gaining hands-on experience with structural alignment, weld strength testing, and workshop safety.
- Applied metal fabrication techniques to build support frames for robotics prototypes and field elements.
Custom Furniture Design and Fabrication
- Designed and built a full-sized bed frame using wood for my bedroom.
- Gained hands-on experience in prototyping, materials selection, and structural assembly.
Scholar & Researcher
New Jersey Governor’s STEM Scholar – Research Cohort 2025
Research Project: CO2 Emissions and Analysis with Empirical Dynamic Modeling
Selected as a New Jersey Governor’s STEM Scholar (Research Track) to conduct advanced interdisciplinary research and connect scientific inquiry with public policy and community impact.
As part of the program, I designed and implemented a climate modeling project analyzing the effects of climate change in New Jersey using Empirical Dynamic Modeling (EDM). The research focused on identifying nonlinear environmental patterns and exploring predictive models to support data-driven sustainability efforts.
Engaging with state policymakers, scientists, and industry mentors, I worked to bridge technical research with STEM policy and public communication, culminating in a statewide symposium presentation on the role of computational modeling in climate resilience and community adaptation.
Research Project: Analysis and Modeling of Gravitational Waves from Binary Black Hole Mergers
Conducted computational astrophysics research at High Technology High School (HTHS), investigating how mass ratio variations affect the amplitude and frequency of gravitational waveforms produced during binary black hole mergers.
Utilized the Einstein Toolkit and the MayaWave Python library for waveform analysis, along with FFmpeg for simulation data visualization and time-series synthesis. The study referenced foundational works by Abbott et al. (2017) and Radice et al. (2018) to validate results within the broader context of gravitational-wave astronomy.
Research paper: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1RabjZvzzw5NMxPGI1YypIEY7gEO9IOC_OgmHE0rE3JI/edit?usp=sharing
Presentation: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1wHWRX27cf6qxty5n7UFshZN9S_gK-2VfpAlxpgzuVQQ/edit?usp=sharing
Awards & Recognition:
1st Place – Jersey Shore Science Fair, Stockton University | March 2025
2nd Place – NJ Academy of Science (NJAS), Kean University | May 2025
Selected as a New Jersey Delegate to represent the state at the AAAS National Conference, Phoenix, AZ | April 2026
3rd Place – Delaware Valley Science Fair, May 2025
Impact in my community
Founder – Open Robo Rescue for All
Founded Open Robo Rescue for All, a nonprofit organization dedicated to teaching foundational skills in electronics, coding, and mechanical design through hands-on learning and real-world challenges. The program’s curriculum developed from my own RoboCup Junior Rescue Line competition experience, which guides students from core engineering principles to full robot construction and testing.
Mission: To make robotics education accessible and empowering for all students by providing free workshops and a collaborative, inclusive learning environment that nurtures creativity, teamwork, and confidence in STEM.
Impact:
- Conducts weekly classes in local public middle schools including Thorne, Thompson, and Bayshore, and summer programs in Keansburg Middle School.
- Has reached 50+ students through recurring workshops that foster curiosity and technical skill development.
- Empowers participants to design, code, and compete with their own robots in the RoboCup Junior Rescue Line league.
President – Monmouth County 4-H Science Engineering Technology and Robotics (SET) Club,
4-H STEM Ambassador
4-H National Congress NJ delegate
4-H National Conference in Washington, DC NJ delegate
- Mentoring youth in Robo Rescue Arduino curriculum for 4-H and public students at Holmdel Public Library.
- Recruit officers for the club
- Guided electronics and Python programming monthly workshops throughout the school year for the members of 4-H SET club online, 8 middle school children participated
- 2017 – 2023 active member of the club involved in various community projects, workshops and public speaking events
Op-Ed Writer – NJ Governor’s STEM Scholars Program
- Published STEM education and innovation columns on the official NJ STEM Scholars platform.
- Advocates for sustainability, STEM equity, and youth-driven science communication.
https://www.govstemscholars.com/post/airevolution
Public Speaker – 4-H Presentations & Communications Competitions
Recognized for excellence in public speaking and science communication through the New Jersey 4-H Public Presentations Program, delivering engaging talks on STEM innovation, robotics education, research and youth leadership.
Awards:
- Excellent (Blue Ribbon) Award – NJ State 4-H Public Presentations & Communications Contest, June 2025
- Excellent (Blue Ribbon) Award – Monmouth County 4-H Public Speaking Competition, April 2025
Focus:
Developed and presented speeches connecting research, robotics, accessibility, and community impact, emphasizing the role of youth innovation in shaping the future of STEM outreach.
Programming Committee Junior Chair – Research Club (ReConX)
Serve as Junior Chair of the Programming Committee for ReConX, High Technology High School’s research club. Organized and led a speaker series featuring professionals from academia, industry, and the community, connecting students with current research topics and STEM careers. Coordinated student debates, research mentorship sessions, and collaborative events designed to strengthen students’ communication, inquiry, and presentation skills.
Student Research Magazine “Odyssey” Editor and Contributor – Research Club (ReConX)
As an editor and contributor for Odyssey: The Biomedical Engineering Issue (Issue 4, May 2025), I collaborated with a team of student writers, designers, and researchers to produce a publication exploring innovations at the intersection of biology and technology. My role involved editing feature articles for clarity and technical accuracy, contributing original writing, and assisting with layout design to ensure a cohesive and visually engaging final issue. Working alongside peers on the Odyssey journal allowed me to combine my interests in engineering, science communication, and design while helping showcase the creativity and curiosity of our student community.
https://sites.google.com/ctemc.org/hthsresearchshowcase/student-research-journal
CypHER Junior Lead – Robotics & Coding Club (ROCO)
As CypHER Junior Lead, High Technology High School’s Robotics and Coding Club, organized and mentored a full-day coding and robotics workshop for middle school girls, aimed at promoting female participation in STEM. Designed hands-on sessions introducing Arduino/C, HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, guided participants through creative coding projects, and led discussions highlighting women’s leadership in technology and robotics.
Hobbies
ART
Soldering is fun
