http://www.teachengineering.org/view_activity.php?url=collection/wpi_/activities/wpi_at/assistive_tech_sue.xmlactivitytext/xmlK-12 Outreach Office, ADAadaptive deviceAmericans with Disabilities Actassistive deviceassistive techassistive technologybioengineeringbiomedical engineeringcrutchesdisabilityprosthesisreplacement limbwheelchairassistive and adaptive technologyassistive devicedisabilityprosthesisbioengineeringbiotechnologyopposable

Students participate in a variety of activities modeling different disabilities. They gain a better understanding of physical limitations while performing tasks at workstations without the use of their thumbs (taped down), impaired vision (various glasses) and impaired mobility (using crutches and wheelchairs). After discussing their experiences, they work in teams to create or improve on an adaptive device. Like biomedical engineers, students are challenged to design with the purpose of helping make a particular task easier for another person.

Bioengineering technologies explore the production of mechanical devices, products, biological substances, and organisms to improve health and/or contribute improvement to our daily lives. Biomedical and mechanical engineers design and test various types of prosthetics to help people with disabilities. Explain a range of differing needs for adaptive or assistive devices.Describe how technology can be involved in developing and improving assistive and adaptive devices.1560TeachEngineering.orghttp://www.teachengineering.org/collection/wpi_/activities/wpi_at/worksheets.dochttp://www.teachengineering.org/collection/wpi_/activities/wpi_at/worksheets.pdfS101068DMassachusettsScience7.1 Explain examples of adaptive or assistive devices, e.g., prosthetic devices, wheelchairs, eyeglasses, grab bars, hearing aids, lifts, braces.68S1009558MassachusettsScience2.2 Demonstrate methods of representing solutions to a design problem, e.g., sketches, orthographic projections, multiview drawings.68S1011180MassachusettsScience2.3 Describe and explain the purpose of a given prototype.68S1010C69MassachusettsScience2.4 Identify appropriate materials, tools, and machines needed to construct a prototype of a given engineering design.68S1004F28MassachusettsScience2.5 Explain how such design features as size, shape, weight, function, and cost limitations would affect the construction of a given prototype.68United StatesCopyright 2012 - K-12 Outreach Office, Worcester Polytechnic Institutehttp://www.teachengineering.org/policy_ipp.phphttp://www.teachengineering.org/2011-12-297Teacher