Interested in working together? Just fill out the form below. Don't like the form? That's ok, just email us. Thank you.
Interested in working together? Just fill out the form below. Don't like the form? That's ok, just email us. Thank you.
Interested in working together? Just fill out the form below. Don't like the form? That's ok, just email us. Thank you.
ROBOTICS: MY JOURNEY
SAM QIAN
Presenting To Boeing
When I first heard that I’d be presenting to Boeing, I could hardly believe it. Boeing — the company behind some of the most iconic airplanes in the world — the ones I used to stare at in airports, wondering how something that massive could even lift off the ground. For someone who loved engineering, design, and innovation, this was a dream come true.
​
But more than just learning about airplanes or technology, my experience with Boeing ended up teaching me about teamwork, problem-solving, and seeing the world through a wider lens. This page is a little story about that journey — the projects I worked on, the lessons I learned, and the people who inspired me along the way.
Getting Started
​
The Boeing program I joined wasn’t just about building things. It was about learning how to think like an engineer — how to solve problems, make trade-offs, and design something that works in the real world.
​
When we first began, I remember being both excited and nervous. I didn’t know what to expect. I’d always been curious about how planes worked — how wings created lift, how engines generated thrust, how materials were chosen to make something both light and strong. But I also knew that working with Boeing meant going beyond theory.
​
During the first few sessions, our mentors from Boeing gave us a crash course on the basics of aerospace engineering. We learned about aerodynamics, structural integrity, fuel efficiency, and even flight control systems. It wasn’t just lectures — we did hands-on activities that helped us visualize these concepts.
​
Working as a Team
​
What stood out most in the Boeing experience was teamwork.
Our group was made up of students with completely different personalities and skill sets. Some of us were more technical — great with programming and physics — while others were more into design, creativity, and presentation.
At first, working together wasn’t easy. Everyone had their own ideas, and sometimes they clashed. But as time went on, we learned how to listen, compromise, and combine our strengths.
​
Our mentors from Boeing always emphasized that this — more than anything — is what engineering is about. Planes aren’t built by one genius in a lab. They’re built by teams of people, all collaborating, arguing, refining, and eventually agreeing on something that works.
​
That mindset completely changed how I approached projects later on. I stopped thinking about “my idea” and started thinking about “our solution.”
​
Behind the Scenes of Boeing Innovation
​
Another part of the experience that amazed me was learning how Boeing actually operates behind the scenes.
We got to see videos and case studies of Boeing’s research facilities, their prototype labs, and even testing simulations. It was like stepping into the heart of modern engineering — a place where creativity meets precision.
One thing that impressed me most was how safety and innovation go hand in hand. Boeing engineers never design something just because it’s cool or new — they design it because it works safely and reliably, often after years of testing and iteration.
​
We also learned about the supply chain side of Boeing’s operations — how parts are sourced, how factories collaborate across different countries, and how even a small delay can affect the entire production timeline. It gave me a completely new respect for what it takes to bring a single airplane from concept to reality.
​
Learning from Mentors
​
Throughout the program, we were mentored by real Boeing engineers — people who had worked on projects like the 787 Dreamliner and 737 MAX. They weren’t just brilliant; they were incredibly humble and encouraging.
One mentor told us, “You don’t need to be a genius to be an engineer. You just need to stay curious and never stop asking why.”
​
That sentence stuck with me. It changed how I thought about learning. Before, I used to worry about getting the right answer. After that, I started focusing more on asking the right questions.
Another mentor shared how their team once spent months testing a new composite material, only for it to fail under pressure. But instead of seeing it as wasted time, they saw it as progress — one more step closer to understanding what doesn’t work.
​
That attitude — treating failure as a teacher rather than an enemy — became something I tried to apply not just in engineering, but in life in general.​​​
Beyond Technology: Values That Stick
​
One of the biggest takeaways from my Boeing journey wasn’t just technical knowledge — it was the values I learned.
The mentors kept reminding us that Boeing isn’t just about planes. It’s about people — the passengers who fly, the engineers who design, and the communities that benefit from innovation.
​
They talked about ethics in engineering, about designing responsibly and always considering safety and sustainability. They also emphasized diversity in teamwork — how different perspectives lead to better ideas.
These lessons stuck with me long after the program ended. They’ve shaped how I approach my own projects, whether in robotics, education, or social entrepreneurship.
​
Connecting It All Back
​
Looking back, my Boeing experience connected many things I’d already been passionate about — robotics, design, innovation, and education.
​
Before joining the program, I mostly thought of engineering as building machines. But Boeing showed me that it’s also about building systems, communities, and ideas that make the world better.
​
It also gave me a bigger sense of purpose. I realized that every engineer, no matter how small their role, contributes to something larger than themselves. Whether it’s improving flight efficiency or reducing carbon emissions, each innovation helps move the world forward.
​
Looking Ahead
​
My Boeing journey didn’t end when the program finished. If anything, it sparked something new — a deeper curiosity about aerospace, sustainability, and innovation.
​
I’ve started following more closely how Boeing and other companies are developing green aviation technologies, like hydrogen propulsion and biofuels. I’ve also been reading more about space systems and how lessons from aviation apply to spacecraft design.
​
More importantly, I’ve started mentoring younger students in my own community — sharing what I learned, just like the Boeing mentors shared with us.
Whether it’s teaching them about flight principles, drone building, or just encouraging them to explore STEM, I feel like I’m paying it forward.​
What Boeing Means to Me
​
Whenever I think of Boeing now, I don’t just think of airplanes. I think of all the people who make flight possible — the engineers, designers, technicians, and dreamers who work behind the scenes to connect the world.
​
The program taught me that engineering isn’t about perfection — it’s about curiosity, creativity, and compassion. It’s about caring enough to make something better, even when it’s hard.
​
And most of all, it’s about believing that no idea is too small to take off.
So, if you’ve ever looked up at a plane and wondered how it flies — or dreamed about being part of something that big — I can tell you: start small, stay curious, and never stop learning.
​
Because one day, you might just find yourself, like me, holding a small foam wing in your hand and realizing that what you’re really building isn’t just an aircraft — it’s your own future.