Into the Fire: Building Technology for the Front Lines

Building the Future at USC Makers

What does it actually look like to build real engineering projects as a student? In this episode of Engineering Moment, co-hosts Stephanie and Avery sit down with USC student Mitchell Kirby, a project manager in USC Makers, to unpack what the club is all about. From designing a self-cleaning solar panel to imagining a kinetic energy sidewalk, Mitchell shares the creativity, challenges, and lessons he’s gained from hands-on engineering. We explore how Makers turns ideas into prototypes—and how student projects can shape the engineers behind them.

Minds, Machines, and Moral Lines

What happens when your brain can talk to a computer? In this episode of Engineering Moment, co-hosts Stephanie, Aava, and Lindsay dive into the science and speculation surrounding Neuralink—Elon Musk’s bold attempt to fuse AI with human thought. From deep brain stimulation to data privacy, animal testing to AI symbiosis, we break down the promises, problems, and paradigm shifts of brain-machine interfaces. Could this be the future—or just futuristic fiction?

Into the Fire: Building Technology for the Front Lines

What if technology could help save the lives of first responders? In this episode, Stephanie talks with Alex Forgosh, a USC junior and co-founder of Hatchet—a startup building new tools to locate and protect firefighters in burning buildings. Born from a passion for impact and sharpened through USC’s startup ecosystem, Hatchet combines software, hardware, and bold problem-solving to tackle an issue that’s been overlooked for decades. Tune in to hear how student engineers are designing for danger—and thinking beyond the classroom.

Engineering the Beat: How Music Streaming Platforms Know What You Want

What happens when AI tries to predict your next favorite song? Can algorithms really capture your mood—or are we just training the system? Join Stephanie and Avery as they break down how Spotify uses AI and algorithms to engineer the perfect playlist, and what it means for the future of music discovery.

Seeds, Science, and a Supreme Court Case

What happens when a farmer goes up against a biotech giant? Was it patent infringement—or just the wind? Join Stephanie and Avery as they dig into the landmark Monsanto v. Schmeiser case, exploring GMOs, gene pollution, and who really owns our food.