Area of Study

The project uses elements from every STEM field. Science will be used to take into account friction and how different materials will have different effects on the project and react to outside factors. Math will be used to calculate weight and measure dimensions to learn how to change dimensions. Technology and Engineering will both be used in tandem. These two fields of STEM will be used in order to help the project operate through the use of sensors and motors. Additionally, code will be essential as it will be what instructs the motors and sensors. The Paraplegic Stair Elevator will mostly run on motors and gear systems.

Statement of Sub-problems

• What will the CAD files for the project look like?

• What will be the cost of making this project?

• What electrical components will be used?

• What materials will be used?

• What will be the size of the project as a whole?

Limitations of the Study

• One year to work on this project

• Limited knowledge on CNC machine

• Limited knowledge on CAD programs

• Limited knowledge on circuit and wiring 

• Limited knowledge on the professionalization of documents 

The Essential Question

• How difficult will the Paraplegic Stair Elevator be to build?

• How will we make sure that the staircase elevator is flush and flat?

• How safe will the product be to use?

• Who would this product be more for - elderly people or people in wheelchairs? 

Assumptions

• We have the coding knowledge needed to complete this project

• We will have access to all the parts needed

• Components will be fully functional

• CAD modeling will go through many altercations 

• Any Bluetooth components used will be able to easily connect

• By the end of first semester the blueprints, designs, and schematics will be completed and all the necessary materials for the project will have arrived.

• From winter break to spring break is when most of the major development for the project will occur

• After spring break the project will be tested and revised.

Project Definition

• This project is mainly targeting people with physical disabilities which is forcing them to be in wheelchairs. How this project will work is that the staircase will be able to turn itself flush and flat for it to double as an elevator with a control that connects via a pulley system. The pulley system will be connected by a gear system that will control the movements. 

Learning and Growth

• Nivan has a strong foundation with Arduino, Wiring, and the code used for motors and mechanisms.

• Julio excels at concept development, documentation and designing. This project will allow him to further exercise those skills and allow him to develop a design of his vision.

• Heather will learn more about CAD designing such with the software Fusion 360. She has 3- D modeling experience from previous years. 

Multiple Revisions/Drafts

During this project will most likely have multiple initial designs in mind. The most efficient when it comes to price, time, and usability will be the one we decide to create as our final product. Throughout the project we will most likely have to make adjustments to our project, to CAD files, and potentially have to reprint things or buy new components. On the other hand some components we initially bought may not be used in the final product. Our hope is to keep such situations to a minimum in order to most efficiently use our resources and time.

Timeline:

Quarter One-

• Complete Design Concept

• Work on 3D modeling

• Research Components

• Create budget

Quarter Two-

• Get the components

• Begin Prototyping

• 3D print fusion files

• Start building the final design

• WINTER BREAK 

Quarter Three-

• Complete or near completion of the final design

• Finalize Documentation

• SPRING BREAK 

Quarter Four-

• Prepare for presentation

• Tune up project and focus on aesthetics 

Preliminary Project Cost Estimate and Sponsorship 

• The school will provide students with a grant to work on their decided project. The grant money is estimated to be around $200.

Final Product

• At the end of this project we will have fully built a scaled down staircase elevator that if fully realized could support a person's body weight and carry them up or down a flight of stairs. Its purpose is to help make areas more accessible. 

Exhibition/Showcase

• We will showcase our project at the end of the year at the Bartlett High school STEM Academy Showcase. The final project will be a functioning design that can help people with disabilities go up and down stairs with ease. The project will be scaled down in order to fit on the showcase table we will be provided with. Things that could hinder our ability to present at the showcase are technical difficulties with components or parts that don't fit properly together. However, these concerns will be addressed ahead of time to ensure the project is in presentable condition by the showcase.