Solving Real-World Problems

An essential element of project-based learning is authenticity- involving real-world context, tasks and tools, quality standards, or impact, or the project speaks to personal concerns, interests, and issues in the students’ lives.

Arthritic Design Challenge( 1 period design thinking exercise)

http://steamcurriculum.weebly.com/arthritic-pencil-holder.html

Your team is working to help a graphic designer who has developed rheumatoid arthritis.

Design a device using the available materials so that the client can hold a pencil.

• Codify the problem and constraints

• Develop two design concepts which you will evaluate using an engineering decision matrix

• Build a scale model using the provided materials

• Present your prototype

Principles and Practices of Assistive Technology

http://ppat.mit.edu/fall2019/index.html

PPAT is a course at MIT in which advanced undergraduates work in small teams alongside someone who lives with a disability to co-design a piece of assistive technology. Each team regularly meets with their assigned co-designer to work on a specific design challenge informed by their lived experience and expertise.

Enabling the Future
https://enablingthefuture.org/

e-NABLE is an online global community of “Digital Humanitarian” volunteers from all over the world who are using their 3D printers to make free and low-cost prosthetic upper limb devices for children and adults in need. The open-source designs created by e-NABLE Volunteers help those who were born missing their fingers and hands or who have lost them due to war, natural disaster, illness or accidents.

Video: https://youtu.be/B8jo58996yE

Enabling the Future- Upper Arm Prosthetics

https://enablingthefuture.org/upper-limb-prosthetics/

Make a Device for Yourself

https://hub.e-nable.org/s/e-nable-forum/wiki/How+to+Make+an+e-NABLE+Device+for+Yourself

Devices: https://hub.e-nable.org/p/devices