Toilet Paper Trouble Time: Designing Plant-Based Solutions to Break Down Toilet Paper
Students design and test plant-based solutions to break down toilet paperCopyright Frances, November 2024
Students tackle a real-world problem by designing and testing plant-based solutions to break down toilet paper. Using the engineering design process, they research, brainstorm, prototype, test, and refine their approaches—just like professional engineers. By experimenting with different plant materials, students develop creative problem-solving skills while considering real constraints faced in global sanitation systems.
Solving the issue of toilet paper disposal and clogging in different environments would require collaboration among multiple engineering disciplines. Environmental engineers would analyze wastewater systems and develop sustainable sanitation solutions. Chemical engineers would study plant-based compounds and chemical reactions to break down toilet paper efficiently. Biomedical engineers might explore biological solutions, such as enzymes or bacteria, to aid in decomposition. Materials engineers would examine the composition of toilet paper and its interactions with various substances. Civil engineers would design and maintain plumbing and sewage infrastructure to handle waste effectively, while sanitation engineers would focus on public health and waste management strategies. Together, these engineers could develop innovative solutions to prevent clogs and improve sanitation worldwide.
After this activity, students should be able to:
- Describe the steps of the engineering design process.
- Understand that there are different bathroom practices across the globe.
- Share basic info about the culture of the Kichwa Indigenous people of Yambiro, Otavalo, Ecuador.
- Develop a broader, more empathetic global mindset.