Programs & Divisions

Every ShadowCrystal division is a structured environment where students move from concept to physical reality while guided by mentors with real-world expertise.

🤖 Terrestrial ✈️ Aerospace 🌊 Marine 💼 Business
Limited Availability

Summer Camps Now Open!

Aerospace Division

Drone Summer Camp

Taught by: Victor Wang (Published Drone Research & Math Tutor)

📅 Dates: July 20–24
⏰ Time: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
🎯 Focus: Learn · Test · Fly

Explore the fundamentals of control theory, critical components, and drone systems to build a complete, ready-to-fly drone from scratch.

Only 15 Spots Available!
🔥 10% OFF EARLY DISCOUNT
Drone Summer Camp Flyer

Scan the QR code on the flyer or click here to sign up

Questions? Contact us!

[email protected]
Aerospace Division

Rocketry Summer Camp

Taught by: Tikhon Kozlov (President of UHS Rocketry Club & Math Tutor)

📅 Dates: July 20–24
⏰ Time: 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
🎯 Focus: Learn · Design · Build

Dive into model rocketry kits, simulate launches via OpenRocket, and explore the essentials of model rocketry launches.

Only 15 Spots Available!
🔥 10% OFF EARLY DISCOUNT
Rocketry Summer Camp Flyer

Scan the QR code on the flyer or click here to sign up

Questions? Contact us!

[email protected]

⚙️ Vision Systems & Automation

Students explore computer vision using cameras and embedded processors to enable robots to detect and respond to the world around them autonomously. Projects combine programming, sensors, and real-time feedback loops into functioning autonomous systems.

🔧 Mechanical Engineering

Hands-on work with computer aided design (CAD), metal stock, drive trains, motors, pneumatics, and structural design. Students learn to prototype, iterate, and fabricate robust mechanisms built to survive competition conditions.

💻 Embedded Software

Programming robots in Java and Python using industry-standard frameworks. Students write control loops, manage sensor data, and implement autonomous routines controlling hundred-pound machines with single-centimeter accuracy.

🌐

The Terrestrial Division participates in the FIRST Robotics Competition — an internationally accredited program that provides access to grants, mentorship networks, and a massive global community of student engineers.

🚁 Drone Subdivision

🛠️ Drone Construction

Students build drones from raw parts and learn the actual programs and algorithms that are used to control drones. We engage in iterative design and physical engineering to put theory to the test.

🌀 Control Theory & Tuning

Students study PID (Proportional-Integral-Derivative) controllers and analyze their performance. They learn the key tasks of flight software, such as managing flight states, communication, risk tolerance, and more.

🎮 Flight Operations

Once drones are built, students engage in real flight operations, including pre-flight checklists and safety protocols. Students also learn about the regulations that control drone use.

🚀 Rocketry Subdivision

🖥️ OpenRocket Design

Students design rockets from scratch using OpenRocket, an open source rocketry simulation tool used by hobbyists and engineers worldwide. Students learn OpenRocket basics, physics concepts, and motor classification.

🧱 Rocket Kit Fabrication

Students build their own rockets from kits while learning fin attachment, nose cone assembly, recovery wadding, and motor mount integration.

🔥 Launches

After fabrication, every student gets to launch their rocket on a solid-fuel motor.

📋 Safety & NAR Standards

All rocketry activities adhere National Association of Rocketry (NAR) safety codes. Students are trained on safe motor handling, launch range conduct, and recovery procedures before any launch occurs.

⚡ Aquatic Electrical Wiring

A specialized skill set: students learn to solder and waterproof electrical connections for submersible environments, including cable management, epoxy sealing techniques, and safe handling of underwater power systems.

🌊 Fluid Mechanics Fundamentals

Before building, students study buoyancy, drag in water, and the principles that govern how objects move through fluid environments, giving them the conceptual foundation to design effective ROVs.

🤿 SeaPerch ROV Fabrication

ShadowCrystal's Marine Division builds ROVs following the international SeaPerch platform, a curriculum developed by the MIT Sea Grant and now managed by RoboNation. Students assemble their underwater vehicles from structural tubing, thrusters, and waterproofed electronics.

📣 Fundraising & Grant Writing

Students learn to write compelling grant applications, lead fundraising campaigns, and communicate ShadowCrystal's impact to potential donors, building persuasive writing and negotiation skills.

📢 Marketing & Outreach

Managing ShadowCrystal's public presence: social media, event promotion, community outreach, and recruitment campaigns. Students carry these skills into their future entrepreneurial ventures.

🏛️ Organizational Leadership

Advised by the Business Division, Students take on real leadership roles within ShadowCrystal's structure. Division leads, project managers, and other officers run the organization quarter-to-quarter with mentor guidance.

Find Your Division

Whether you love to code, build, fly, swim, or lead — there's a place for you in ShadowCrystal.

Join ShadowCrystal