Healthcare - Exploring Prosthetics and Assistive Technology

Healthcare - Exploring Prosthetics and Assistive Technology


#MakerMondaySTEMx

Prosthesis or prosthetic implant is an artificial device that replaces a missing body part. Prosthetics help individuals with disabilities to perform important functions.


Your challenge is to design a lower leg prosthetic for yourself or another person. When designing, you will need to consider likeness, comfort, and functionality.


Step 1: Watch this video to learn more about prosthetics. 


Step 2: Brainstorm and sketch out some ideas for a lower limb prosthetic. 


Think about the following questions:

  • Does this look like a lower limb?
  • Will it move like a leg?
  • Can it hold the person’s weight?
  • Is it comfortable to wear?

Step 3: Collect items around your house to help with the design. Use the Engineering Design Process Guide to help you map out your design and then prototype, test and improve your solution.


Step 4:  Ask your parents to share your design on social media using #WonderWednesdaySTEMx and #LearningInPlaceSTEMx!


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#WonderWednesdaySTEMx

Prosthetic development is an example of assistive engineering - or the development of products to help individuals with disabilities. 


Today, you will explore how prosthetics can make the world a better place, and the organizations that are using STEM habits and skills in the development of assistive technology. 


Step 1: Review the Wonderopolis article about prosthetic limbs and consider the discussion questions at the bottom of the page. Write your responses in your DaVinci notebook. 


Step 2: Watch this video to learn about other examples of assistive technologies and the role they have in improving the lives of people with disabilities. 


Step 3: In your Da Vinci notebook, consider a problem that a student with a physical disability might have to complete activities in class. What could you design to help this student? Write your response and draw a prototype in your Da Vinci notebook. 


Step 4: Later today or tomorrow, share what you learned from the videos and the website with a family member. 


Step 5: Ask your a family member to share what your learned on social media using #WonderWednesdaySTEMx!


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#FutureFridaySTEMx

Do you like to turn designs into creative solutions to solve problems? Are you interested in health and science? A health science career may be the right fit for you. Today you will learn more about the careers behind the design and making of prosthetics. As you explore the careers, make notes in your Da Vinci notebook about what you learned. 


Step 1: Watch this video to answer the question: What is a biomedical engineer?


Step 2: Read this STEM job interview with Doug Boyd to learn about being a medical device engineer at Battelle.


Step 3: Learn about a career as an Orthotist and Prosthetist by exploring this website.


Step 4: Many schools offer occupational therapy (OT) for students with disabilities to learn to use assistive technology. Hear from an OT about her work and how she helps students everyday. 


Step 5: You learned about several different careers in the health science field today. Which one are you most interested in learning more about? Write your response in your Da Vinci notebook. 


Step 6: Ask a family member to share something you learned about one of the careers and why you might be interested in that career field using #WonderWednesdaySTEMx and #LearningInPlaceSTEMx!


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