Sonal Patel

Sonal Patel is a dedicated community volunteer at the MIT Museum, where she has been actively involved for over 13 years. Her role includes engaging with visitors through various educational demonstrations and activities that align with MIT's motto of "Minds, Hands, and Heart." She has contributed significantly by creating educational demos, assisting in public programs, and training new volunteers.13

Background and Expertise

Sonal Patel holds a PhD in Physics and is passionate about education and accessibility. She has a strong commitment to lifelong learning, particularly through Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs), which she has promoted since 2012. In addition to her volunteer work at the MIT Museum, she has been involved in mentoring visually impaired students through her work with Vision-Aid, focusing on making online learning accessible.145

Professional Experience

• Lifelong Volunteer at the MIT Museum (2011 - Present): Engages visitors through educational demos and assists with various museum programs.
• Educator and Philanthropic Consultant (2000 - Present): Operates a consulting business focused on educational technologies and socially responsive learning.
• Head Teaching Fellow at Harvard University (1998 - 2014): Taught computer science courses and managed course administration.123

Sonal Patel's work reflects her commitment to democratizing education and her belief in continuous learning as a means to foster social justice.13