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Warren C. Volles

Warren C. Volles

I’m passionate about using engineering to solve environmental problems, especially the growing issue of space debris, by developing more efficient and sustainable deorbiting methods. 

ABOUT

High honors 12th grade student at Kent School, interested in aerospace engineering, artificial intelligence, and environmental sciences

Philosophy

I hope to shape the world by designing technologies that make systems smarter, cleaner, and more sustainable, especially in places where change is needed but hard to implement. Whether it’s using artificial intelligence to improve the energy efficiency of space debris removal, building solar-powered cars, or creating natural carbon-capture devices, I’m drawn to projects that solve environmental problems through practical engineering. I believe small innovations, if well designed and thoughtfully applied, can create ripple effects. An autonomous energy-efficient space laser, a slightly more efficient motor, or a shift in how we think about natural resources might not change the world overnight, but their effects can add up. That’s the kind of engineering work I want to pursue: meaningful, focused, and grounded in science and environmental responsibility.

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Academic HOnors& Awards

ACADEMIC

Awards

NASA Power to Explore

2024 Semifinalist

  Schrodinger's Cat Goes to Eris

National History Day

2022 CT State Semifinalist 

How Charles Darwin Shocked the World

Connecticut Invention Convention

2021 Lincoln Financial Foundation Presidential Award 

Renluft

Sports

Varsity Swimming

Co-Captain 

2024-25 Coaches Award

Strokes: butterfly, backstroke, freestyle

Varsity Mountain Biking

Class A racer

Other  Activities

National Solar Car Challenge

Team: Holy Solars

Car: Solar Reliance

Kent Leadership Institute

Student Tour Guide

KPOP Leader

Founder/President Big Brains Club

Concert & Jazz Bands

1st/2nd Trumpet

Community Service

Kent Historical Society

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Kent school:

Consistently earned academic high honors/honors throughout high school, while pursuing rigorous honors and advanced studies courses.

U.S. Naval Academy:

2025 Accepted to U.S. Naval Academy Summer Seminar

National Solar Car Challenge:

Team: Kent School Holy Solars
2025: 3rd place Advanced Division; Car: Solar Purpose
2024: 6th place Advanced Classic Division; Car: Solar Reliance

NASA Power to explore:

2024 National Semifinalist

Schrödinger's Cat Goes to Eris - A sustainable quantum mechanics mission powered by a radioisotope thermoelectric generator

National History Day:

2022 CT State Semifinalist in the Individual Documentary category

How Charles Darwin Shocked the World - An exploration of Darwin’s theory and its global aftermath

Connecticut invention convention:

2021 Lincoln Financial Foundation Presidential Award

RenLuft - A model for carbon dioxide removal from industrial gases using the Calvin cycle

FEATURED PROJECTS

These featured projects represent substantial independent and team work that reflects my interests in engineering, artificial intelligence, and environmental science. Each project was driven by my curiosity, built through hands-on research and design, and recognized for its creativity or impact—from my research using artificial intelligence to deorbit space debris, to engineering challenges like solar car development, and award-winning work in modeling, documentary filmmaking, and essay writing.

ResearcH explorations

I explored how engineers around the world are addressing environmental challenges in creative and meaningful ways through a mix of research, personal reflection, and photos from my travels. I discovered how innovative engineering can be both practical and sustainable from the windcatchers in the Middle East that cool buildings without electricity to Iceland’s geothermal plants that use smart design to reduce emissions. These examples show how blending local traditions with modern technology can lead to solutions that are not only effective, but also environmentally responsible.

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Svartsengi Geothermal Power Station: Producing Reliable, Clean, and Renewable Energy in Iceland  
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Dubai’s Windcatchers: Environment-Friendly Alternatives to Air Conditioning Units
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Sustainable Cork Engineering in Portugal: From Wine to Rockets
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Machu Picchu: A Mighty Example of Incan Engineering and Agricultural Innovation
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The Rise, Fall, and Revival of the Moai on Rapa Nui: An Engineering Journey
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Pyramids of Giza: Engineering Techniques and Theories Behind Their Construction
iFLY Queenstown
IFLY Queenstown: Indoor Skydiving Engineered to Reduce Environmental Impact 
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The Chengdu Research Base: A Model of Sustainable Engineering for Animal Habitats

VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS

Project Spotlight

Warren will have to think more about this section. He doesn't have this kind of video at this time.

Year Created:

2024

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