Sister of Invention
Andini was not the typical child. "I wasn't given many conventional toys as a kid. My parents wanted me to be bored because what happens when you allow your mind to be bored is you're forced to be more creative with whatever you do have around you," Andini says.
Her parents started her out at age three with a box of transistors and various electronic components, believing that she would find more creativity tinkering with household items. They quickly recognized Andini’s innate interest in assembling and inventing her own toys, so they gave her the space to nurture her curiosity and delve deeper into science and technology.
She found deep satisfaction in taking materials she had at her disposal and ingeniously transforming them into something entirely different. She began actively participating in science fairs, ultimately competing in ten of them before graduating high school. She zeroed in on harvesting alternative energy.
Andini playing with her toys, transistors and other electronics.
Andini was born in Victoria, British Columbia, in October 1997, to Filipino mother, Sandra Ann Torres from Bukidnon, and Polish father, Arthur Makosinski. Sandra holds a position at the Engineering and Computer Science Dean’s Office at the University of Victoria, and Arthur is a retired lab manager with several patents to his name. In Grade 6, Andini changed her name from “Ann” to honor one of her main inspirations in life, the esteemed entertainer and escape artist, Harry “Handcuff” Houdini.
Andini and her parents after she graduated from high school at St. Michael’s University School (SMUS). (Photo courtesy of Sandra Makosinski)
At age nine, Andini was soldering circuits. At 16 she won the title of "Best in Age Category" for 15-16-year-olds at the prestigious worldwide Google Science Fair. Her winning invention, the Thermoelectric Flashlight, drew widespread recognition. Andini's innovative flashlight used Peltier tiles to convert excess heat into electricity by leveraging the temperature differential between a person's warm hand and the surrounding cooler ambient air. Her extraordinary achievement earned her a well-deserved $25,000 scholarship.
"I chose to investigate the aspect of human energy when I found out that we are like walking 100-watt light bulbs,” Andini wrote in her project brief. Her design would make classroom seats power schools, be a part of wireless medical sensors, or charge cell phones. Her invention was also inspired by the plight of a friend from the Philippines who failed a grade in school because she didn’t have electricity or light to be able to study at night.
Andini with her trophy from the Google Science Fair. (Photo from Andini’s website)
Andini’s award from the Google Science Fair brought a dramatic change in her life. When she returned to school for their Monday Assembly, one of her teachers pulled her aside and made the exciting announcement of her victory. Andini had been hiding her participation in Science Fairs, worried about being judged by others.
In 11th and 12th-grades, Andini used a substantial amount of time away from school, frequenting conferences and participating in public speaking events, including five TED Talks. She describes this period as an exciting and transformative phase in her life, greatly supported by her teachers who granted her the flexibility and understanding to pursue this unique path.
When she was at home, Andini used to visit the University of Victoria grounds, where discarded electronics (printers, hard drives, etc,) and materials were often found. She would scour these sites to collect materials she deemed intriguing and suitable for her inventive projects.
The young Andini learning how to solder. (Photo courtesy of Art Makosinski)
Andini competed in ten Science Fairs beginning at a young age through high school.
Two of her significant inventions, the Hollow Flashlight presented in 2014 and the e-Drink mug in 2018, received special recognition on Jimmy Fallon's Tonight Show. During her appearance on the show, she was also awarded a $5,000 grant to support her education.
Andini showing her Hallow Flashlight invention at the premier week of the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon in February 2014. (Photo from Andini’s website)
"I found science fairs gave me lots of skills I still use, a great combination of science skills and art skills. The science component of creating and inventing is coming up with an idea, researching, prototyping, and building,” Andini says. The art component, “is writing a report, making a poster board that is clear and easy to follow, and speaking comfortably and confidently to both children and adults when presenting your project."
She adds: "I wanted to have a balance of science and art in my life, I shouldn’t have to choose. I have a passion for storytelling, film and writing, but I also love tinkering and inventing, so why can’t I do both? I didn't want to have just one or the other."
With the global acclaim garnered by her inventions, a plethora of opportunities have opened up for Andini. She secured a remarkable $50,000 investment from the Quest Climate Grant, supported by Canadian Geographic and Shell Energy North America, for her innovations utilizing body heat. She also became a global brand ambassador for Uniqlo’s Heat Tech fleece line.
At the tender age of 19, Andini earned a place on the prestigious Forbes 30 Under 30 list. She was also named one of Glamour Magazine's 2018 College Women of the Year.
“I am so proud to be of Filipino descent, and to partake in the wonderful, colorful and vivacious culture of the Philippines,” she shares. I always get so excited when I detect or find out that someone else is Filipino.”
She’s thankful to have “such an incredible Filipino mum” and also just carrying on with whatever life may throw at her. “I always try to crack jokes and lift my friends' moods, because I know how important humor can be to help one get through certain hardships and situations in life. We Filipinos have been through a lot in our lives and history, and I think humor is something as well as unearthly good singing skills for, well, most of us have lifted us through the toughest of times. I am so proud of our freaking incredible food, I always try to support my local Filipino eateries or restaurants wherever I am living.”
Andini has established her own company, Makotronics Enterprises, and holds several patents for her innovative creations. She turned down a university scholarship for engineering, and recently graduated from the University of Victoria with a degree in English and Film Studies. She also studied acting for a year at Herbert Berghof Studios in New York. She just moved to London to pursue her passion for film and is completing the final manuscript of her first book, The Inventing Mindset, set to be published in 2025 by Knopf Canada.
Andini Makosinski is a young inventor/modern Renaissance Woman who explores both the scientific and artistic sides of her passions, bringing innovation and creativity to life in her own unique and impressive way.
Andini’s website: https://ift.tt/TFO56bf
Lani Domaloy is a Filipino-Canadian writer, poet, and photographer living on Vancouver Island in Canada. She draws her creative inspiration primarily from her love for the outdoors, nature, traveling, and the arts.
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