Building It Big

Meet Robotics Team Moderator Kevin Shaw

As featured in the Spring 2024 Issue of Traditions

Kevin Shaw, Ph.D., loves to make things—from woodworking in his workshop to making microscopic motors the size of a grain of dust. Serra’s new Robotics Team moderator is an expert in countless engineering fields, including sensors, MEMS, semiconductors, algorithms, start ups, mobile devices and electronics.

Shaw holds multiple engineering and management degrees from some of the finest universities in the country. He has a lifetime of passion and experience in creating and building things—personally and professionally.

“My favorite thing about engineering is creating things," he said. "There are so many decisions that have to be carefully chosen in just the right path during each process.” 

Shaw holds a Ph.D. in electrical engineering from Cornell University, as well as a master’s degree in management from Stanford University. He also holds an M.E. and a M.S. in electrical engineering from Cornell, and a bachelor’s of science degree in electrical engineering from University of California, San Diego. 

Professionally, Shaw is the chief technology officer and co-founder of Algorithmic Intuition, a company that designed and built a remote patient-monitoring solution for in-home elderly monitoring. The system includes an on-body patch and a cloud-based AI/ML system to track heart rate, respiration, falls, activity and arrhythmia. Shaw also is an adjunct faculty member at Singularity University, where he lectures internationally on MEMS, sensors and technology. 

He is excited to work with the Robotics Team in Serra’s Pereira Center for Robotics and Engineering, a state-of-the-art robotics and engineering lab that was completed in October 2020. Lab features include roll-up industrial glass doors, wireless technology, movable tables that make construction of anything possible, power tool equipment, marker boards for brainstorming, overhead electrical outlets and dual work spaces that allow for simultaneous design and application, as well as construction and testing. The lab has advanced computer and software technology to support the needs of the Robotics Team’s computer engineering and design components.

"Serra has an amazing facility,” Shaw said. “The tools they have provided for us to succeed is incredible. We already have a couple of robots, which is very valuable. My key responsibility is to stay out of the way. I have the answers but I want the students to lead. My role is to help them to become leaders.”

Shaw has had experience with this type of leadership training because he has been heavily involved in the Boy Scouts of America since 1980. He is an Eagle Scout with two palms, and he also works as a Scoutmaster for Troop 4172.

I don’t care about winning as much as I care about the experience—what will the students walk away with?” Shaw said. "My goal is for my students to love robotics and continue to enhance their skills in college. A team that shares the responsibility will achieve a win.” 

Serra participated in the FIRST Robotics Competition (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) in March. The competition inspires young minds to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). 

Every year, teams of students—guided by mentors from various professional fields—receive a unique game challenge. With limited time and resources, the teams design, build and program sophisticated robots to compete in an arena against other robots. The FRC not only promotes technical skills, but also emphasizes teamwork, problem-solving and gracious professionalism. Beyond the thrill of competition, participants gain invaluable real-world experience, fostering a passion for STEM and encouraging the next generation of innovators and engineers.  

When he’s not building robots, Shaw enjoys spending time with his family. His wife, Tacha, teaches biochemistry and forensics at Fusion Academy in San Mateo. They have three children—Kehl, a student at University of Arizona who is studying physics; Katie, who is studying to be a medical examiner at the University of Oregon; and Ian, who is a senior at Serra.