Somfy Helps Power a School Project

Somfy was pleased to help students from Sato Academy of Mathematics and Science complete their senior project using Somfy motors and guidance from sales manager Ryan Larew. Using Somfy motors, and mentorship, the students successfully created their motorized skylight project. 

“It was fun working with the kids and exciting to see them present the product to teachers, students, and parents alike,” said sales manager Ryan Larew. “We heard lots of positive comments and feedback!”

In their senior year, students at Sato Academy of Mathematics and Science in Long Beach, California who take the engineering capstone class Engineering Design and Development need to apply their skills and knowledge in the form of a senior project. This project begins in August and takes the entire school year to complete. The students must identify a problem, investigate a solution and finally design, fabricate, and test their prototypes.

For students Cassie Martinez and Ian Lim, the problem they settled on was inspired by their teammate Everette Esguerra, who had a problem with the skylight right above her bed. The students decided creating a motorized shading system for skylights would be their solution, and set about working on their project. 

Creating a motorized solution for skylights wasn’t always smooth sailing. The students ran into challenges, including considering motors that wouldn’t have enough power to move the skylight. They also considered using two motors, but that idea might have torn the shade fabric. 

The students got in touch with a shade company, Superior Blinds and More, who recommended they reach out to Somfy for help with their project’s motorization. Somfy was more than happy to jump in and help, including donating motors and connecting them with sales manager Ryan Larew, who helped mentor the team.

According to their teacher Leoner Perez, students are expected to reach out to industries for help during their projects when they need guidance. 

“It is important that they apply not only their engineering skills but the soft skills of how to communicate as well,” Perez said. “Luckily, Cassie and Ian found the support they needed when Somfy offered to mentor them through Ryan.”

Student Cassie Martinez agreed that Ryan was an important part of their success. “Mr. Larew's assistance helped us understand how the motors work, how to install it, and provided us with directions to help us succeed with the motorized part of our project. He was even kind enough to meet with us during our spring break and during his birthday, to invite us over to one of the Somfy locations to give us a mini-tour and provide us with all our materials.” 

Mr. Perez referred to their project as “very ambitious,” but the students never gave up despite facing challenges and setbacks. Student Ian Lim agreed that he learned some valuable lessons just going through the process of putting the project together. “The most important thing that I have learned from this project is that it takes a long time to develop a product,” Lim said. “You shouldn't stress out and should ask others for help when you don't know what to do.”

The students also learned about the benefits of motorized shades, and how motorized products can create comfort and convenience for users. “The biggest benefit of motorized window coverings, whether they are for skylights or shades, is that they allow the user to have a hassle-free experience with the amount of light that comes into their home or work,” said Martinez.  

According to Mr. Perez, Larew helped Cassie and Ian understand motorization technology. “With his guidance, they were able to modify your product to enable their skylight shade to scroll through various degrees of opacity,” Perez said. “Thank you for playing a key role not just in a project, but in a positive educational experience that they will remember forever.”

For his part, Larew was impressed with the skill and drive of the students. He was excited to attend the team’s senior project showcase to see the finished project and met with teachers, parents and the school principal.

“I have to say, I was blown away by the capacity this school has to develop engineers and scientists,” Larew said. “Incredible talent!”

Somfy was happy to help the students at Sato Academy of Mathematics and Science and looks forward to continuing to help develop the next generation of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) students.