STS.050: History of MIT Final Project

This tripartite final project included a research paper, poster, and presentation.

STS.050:The History of MIT is a humanities course that explores how the Institute has evolved alongside the modern world by examining its people, discoveries, and transformations through the lens of science, technology, and culture.

My presentation took place at the MIT Museum as a part of a public exhibit. I focused on East Campus’ long-running tradition of student hand-built roller coasters. Most every fall since 2004, students in East Campus have built a wooden roller coaster. My project looked into how this tradition started, how it survived shutdowns and institutional pushback, and what it represents about MIT culture today.

First look at completed model

Last few seconds of my presentation

I built the roller coaster model as a long-time personal checklist cross-off-er, but it ultimately paired nicely with one of the themes that shaped my project—building simply out of love for the game.

My museum exhibit that I mentioned in the presentation will take place at the Weisner Student Art Gallery in the Stratton Student Center sometime this fall.