“It might take a little elbow grease,” Environmental Studies Professor Karina Garbesi calls out from the head of the classroom. It’s mid-August and she’s standing in front of a bright blue box surrounded by a riot of wires, ports and circuits that must each find its connection. Eventually, they will make up the guts of a USB port, electrical outlet, charging station and switchbox, concealed by a white panel on top. Once paired with a solar panel, the contents of the box (a suitcase actually) are designed to provide light and power in schools and orphanages a half a world away.
