Powering Innovation

When Skye Myers (’25) first arrived at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Daytona Beach Campus, she knew she wanted to be an engineer — but wasn't sure which path to take. Originally from a small town in Massachusetts, Myers had always been drawn to problem solving, chemistry and math.

She initially gravitated toward Aerospace Engineering, hoping space might be the path where she could apply her love of science and discovery. But just a few months into her first semester, a new opportunity shifted her entire outlook.

“Once I got involved in the EcoCAR program during my first semester, everything changed!”

That decision marked the beginning of a new direction. EcoCar, a hands-on competition that tasks students with building and testing advanced vehicle technology, gave Myers the clarity she had been searching for. Instead of focusing on space exploration, she discovered her passion for high-performance vehicles.

Finding a Passion at Embry-Riddle

After switching her major to Mechanical Engineering, Myers fully immersed herself in the High-Performance Vehicles track. The mix of rigorous coursework and applied projects gave her a foundation that stretched far beyond the classroom.

“From my work on the EcoCAR team and throughout my track-specific high-performance vehicles classes, I’ve received so much training to build my knowledge and skills about everything vehicles,” she said. “I’ve learned how to use MathWorks software in so many different ways and how to analyze controller area network (CAN) data using Vector products.”

Beyond EcoCAR, the faculty she encountered also played a defining role in shaping her interests and sharpening her abilities. Their guidance encouraged her to sharpen her skills in technical tools that would later prove invaluable.

“All of my classes from Dr. White, professor of Mechanical Engineering, were both educational and fun, which made me like MATLAB and Simulink that much more,” she said. “The Computer-Aided Design (CAD) and ANSYS classes were also highlights from my junior year, and I honestly wish we had more classes for those.”

These experiences weren’t just academic milestones — they paved the way for greater opportunities. Now entering her senior year, Myers had built a portfolio that opened the door to one of the nation’s most prestigious research facilities.

From Classroom to National Lab

Now, standing at the intersection of education and innovation, Myers has taken her Embry-Riddle training to Argonne National Laboratory. She is part of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internship (SULI) program, where students contribute to groundbreaking research alongside leading scientists and engineers.

“I’m a SULI intern at Argonne in the Strategic Transportation Education and Partnerships (STEP) division. The SULI internship is for STEM students looking to make a difference,” she said. “The goal is for students to work on a Department of Energy team and work together to advance scientific impact.”

Her role within Argonne’s STEP team is both technical and educational, bridging her mechanical engineering background with her interest in training the next generation of engineers.

“My job title is a learning management systems (LMS) intern,” she explained. “My job as part of the STEP team is to use my knowledge as a student in higher education and engineering, along with my experience in a DOE-sponsored program, to design and implement an LMS course that can educate the next generation of battery and vehicle engineers.”

As Myers settles into her role, she is finding ways to connect her classroom experiences with real-world impact. The internship has given her the chance to put her mechanical engineering skills into practice while shaping how future students will learn.

Designing for the Next Generation

At Argonne National Laboratory, Myers is focusing her energy on developing interactive learning modules that turn complex engineering concepts into accessible training.

“Creating a battery management system hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) in parallel with another intern and then using data from my literature review, I created a learning management module for students in the Advanced Vehicle Technology Competitions (AVTC) program,” she said. “This course will be used to teach students vital battery and software information that will help students excel faster in the Battery Workforce Competition and prepare them for the Vehicle and Battery industries.”

The work requires balancing precision with creativity. She knows that every module she develops will directly impact students preparing to compete in DOE programs, giving them the confidence to succeed in fast-moving fields like vehicle electrification and battery systems.

“The most challenging part is using my research and background as an engineer and creating effective modules for the LMS,” she explained. “There are so many steps to creating a module, like figuring out learning objectives and doing all of the research to ensure all the information is correct before putting anything into the software.”

Still, what could feel like a daunting challenge has become one of the most rewarding parts of her academic journey.

Looking Ahead

As Myers reflects on her path from EcoCAR to Argonne National Laboratory, she sees how each step has built toward a future that blends engineering, research and education. The internship has not only expanded her technical skills but reshaped her academic goals.

“This internship has opened my eyes to grad school and what it can offer me... Learning is more important to me now than ever, and I cannot wait to continue my journey through academia,” she said.

As she looks further ahead, Myers envisions herself contributing on a global scale, where the rapid growth of sustainable energy and storage technologies will continue to open new opportunities.

“My hope is to continue my studies and eventually work and live abroad. The automotive industry is growing fast, and as sustainable energy and storage improve, there will be many paths for me to take.”

And to other students who may be unsure of their own path, Myers offers a reminder that persistence and resilience pay off.

Her journey, from an uncertain freshman to an intern at Argonne National Laboratory, shows how persistence and curiosity can open unexpected doors — and how students like her are helping to power the future of innovation.